Edinburgh Festivals Magazine 2016 by Media Company Publications Ltd

BEST OF COMEDY MUSIC THEATRE BOOKS DANCE ART SUMMER 2016

165

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEWS

STEWART LEE KATHERINE RYAN MARK HADDON YOUNG FATHERS OMID DJALILI GRÁINNE MAGUIRE CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN KATY BRAND SOPHIE KINSELLA

PL ACES TO E AT, DRINK AND STAY UP L ATE

STEWART LEE

REVEALS HIS TOP STAND-UPS

EUROTRASH RULA LENSKA PAYS TRIBUTE TO EUROVISION SALLY PHILLIPS TALKS TO STRANGERS A $60,000 JOKE MIKE WARD’S COMEDY BAN

FUNNY PEOPLE THE BEST OF COMEDY EDINBURGH FESTIVALS SUMMER 2016

ALAN CUMMING

COMEDY AWARD WINNERS THEY’RE BACK FOR MORE

£3.99

GLAMOUR, GRIT AND GAGA NEWS, REVIEWS AND UP-TO-DATE LISTINGS AT EDFESTMAG.COM

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DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 04 â&#x20AC;&#x201C; 28 AUG 2016

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CONTENTS WWW.EDFESTMAG.COM

What’s Inside

COMEDY 16 26 38 41 43 45 54 79 168

STEWART LEE On breaking comedy rules OMID DJALILI Very political, yet wildly fun GRÁINNE MAGUIRE Makes a bloody point MIKE WARD Is the poster boy for censorship KATY BRAND Shows her true self TOM ALLEN More confident than ever AWARD WINNERS Last Fringe's champions PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON Will make e you roar with laughter COMEDY GUIDE Laugh your socks off

DANCE 24 NATALIA OISPOVA Redefines ballet 71 CUBAN GYPSY A blend of two cultures 166 DANCE GUIDE Bust a move at these shows

THEATRE 20 SALLY PHILLIPS On comic monologues s 22 MY EYES WENT DARK A father's s quest for revenge 34 THE TOAD KNEW are to be bewitched Prepare 36 DAFFODILS A story ory of love and loss 53 LADY COLIN CAMPBELL Talks her first st Fringe show 60 CIRCUS Roll up! Roll up! 81 THE CHICKEN TRIAL Stars model Eunice e Olumide 158 THEATRE GUIDE Our theatre round-up www.edfestmag.com

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MUSIC 14 ALAN CUMMING Goes GaGa for pop songs 58 CAMILLE O'SULLIVAN A wonderfully mad spectacle 74 CYRILLE AIMEE Jazz with gypsy vibes 77 EUROBEAT Relive the fun of Eurovision 89 YOUNG FATHERS Discuss cultural barriers 90 EMMA POLLOCK Brings popular music to the fest 152 MUSIC GUIDE What to treat your ears to EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016 ED

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CONTENTS WWW.EDFESTMAG.COM

ART

111

28 STEVE ULLATHORNE Backstage with the stars 104 SELF-PORTRAITS From oil paintings to the selfie 106 BARBARA RAE The colour master is back 148 ART GUIDE This year's top exhibitions

FOOD

106

108 FOODIES FESTIVAL Indulge in some tasty fun 111 RESTAURANT GUIDE Eat your way through town

CHILDREN 99 KING ARTHUR David Gant is wizard and king 100 SOPHIE KINSELLA Ventures into YA territory 103 SOPHIE THOMPSON On her first children's book 164 KIDS GUIDE The best shows for the little ones

82 46

REGULARS

BOOKS

82 AUTHOR COMEDIANS From the stage to the pen 85 MARK HADDON Literary fiction goes dark 86 ROWAN HISAYO BUCHANAN On art and diversity 156 BOOK GUIDE Book festival musts

30 46 64 178

DIARY DATES The acts not to miss A TO Z Alphabetical fun FESTIVAL FAVOURITES The best of the fest ONES TO WATCH This year's raising stars MY EDINBURGH Jo Caulfield recommends

178

143

CITY GUIDE 93 21 THINGS TO DO Fun beyond the Fringe 143 SHOPPING Go on a spending spree 147 SPA GUIDE Pamper yourself

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WELCOME WWW.EDFESTMAG.COM

Revolutionary road T

Don’t forget to bsite check our we ag.com www.edfestm ws for daily revie

his year, we celebrate those who swim against the tide, no matter how bad their breaststroke. Non-conformists like stand-up legend Stewart Lee, who leaves a trail of controversy wherever he takes his stage persona. The line dividing the ruthless, self-eviscerating character from the real Stewart Lee is a fine one, and one he walks with the confidence of someone who is used to causing as many tears as laughs. Comedian Mike Ward is no stranger to this feeling: he has recently become the poster boy for freedom of speech in Canada, after one of his jokes landed him a $60,000 fine, a ban from performing in his own country, and a battle with the Court of Human Rights. Also at the bleeding edge of comedy is Gráinne Maguire, who live-tweeted Ireland’s Prime Minister with updates on her menstrual cycle to make a hilariously poignant point about the country’s anti-abortion laws. Our musical mavericks include Camille O'Sullivan, with her sultry carnival show, and Edinburgh's own Young Fathers, who bring their globally-influenced electronica to the International Festival. Alan Cumming makes a welcome return to his homeland. Never one to follow the herd, our cover star reveals a personal side in a show that is as fabulous as the man himself. Cumming will also present his second book at the Book Festival. Cumming isn’t the only one proving his talents go beyond the stage. From comedian Bridget Christie to actress Sophie Thompson, there are many unconventional writers joining veterans like Irvine Welsh and Sophie Kinsella this year. Both newcomers and pros are bringing hard-hitting topics to the limelight, from chronic anxiety to taking down the patriarchy, sprinkled with healthy doses of humour. Just as we honour the individualists in comedy, theatre and beyond this year, we encourage you to take a leaf out of their book. Experience the festival in your own, unique way. Whether you like to stick a pin in the Fringe guide and see where fate takes you, or whether you make a regimented pilgrimage from the Pleasance to the Underbelly, make sure you own your style, whatever that may be.

EDITORIAL Editor Sue Hitchen Art Director Angela McKean Digital Imaging Malcolm Irving Production Sarah Hitchen Editorial Assistants Lidia Molina Whyte and Chiara Margiotta Advertising Design Jordan Porteous

ADVERTISING Erin Culley, Matthew Magee and Gaynor Ross CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Rob Adams, Kelly Apter, Kate Copstick, Judy Diamond, Mark Fisher, Lynn O'Rourke Jay Richardson, Fiona Shepherd and Claire Smith

HOW TO BOOK Festival Fringe 5th - 29th August Box Office: 180 High Street Tel: 0131 226 0000 Web: edfringe.com International Festival 5th - 29th August Box Office: The Hub, Castlehill Tel: 0131 473 2000 Web: eif.co.uk Book Festival 13th - 29th August Box Office: The Hub, Castlehill Tel: 0845 373 5888 Web: edbookfest.co.uk Jazz and Blues Festival 15th - 24th July Box Office: The Hub, Castlehill Tel: 0131 473 2000 Web: edinburghjazzfestival.com Military Tattoo 5th - 27th August Box Office: 33-34 Market Street Tel: 0131 225 1188 Web: edintattoo.co.uk Edinburgh Art Festival 28th July - 28th August Box Office: 2 Market Street Tel: 0131 226 6558 Web: edinburghartfestival.com Foodies Festival Edinburgh 5th - 7th August Inverleith Park Tel: 0844 995 1111 Web: foodiesfestival.com Edinburgh Mela Festival 27th - 28th August Leith Links Tel: 0131 661 7100 Web: edinburgh-mela.co.uk

Front cover image: Alan Cumming by Getty Images/Michael Stewart Edinburgh Festivals Issue 14 Published annually by The Media Company Publications Ltd, 26a St Andrews Square, Edinburgh EH2 1AF www.edfestmag.com Printed by Buxton Press. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is strictly forbidden. All prices and offers correct at time of going to press but subject to change. ISSN 1478-9078

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Edinburgh Digital Entertainment Festival 4th - 28th August Assembly Rooms, George Street Tel: 0131 623 3045 Web: edef.co.uk www.edfestmag.com

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ANNA COLLECTION

72 GEORGE STREET

laingedinburgh.com

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DIARY DATES EDFESTMAG.COM

3 AUGUST

E T A D O T P U

to watch diary -they're the ones ur yo in s ow sh e es th t Pu 11 AUGUST

Russell Howard Assembly George Square Howard unveils his work in progress.

Paul Merton’s Impro Chums Pleasance Courtyard Audience led, madly exciting and terrific fun.

4 AUGUST

7 AUGUST

8 AUGUST

The Pianist Assembly Roxy A potent cocktail of dance, physical theatre and circus.

Glenn Wool The Hive Only on for five nights, grab your tickets to see the comedy master before it’s too late.

Barry Humphries Usher Hall ‘Degenerate’ music from Germany’s Weimar Republic.

12 AUGUST

9 AUGUST

13 AUGUST

Norma Festival Theatre Cecilia Bartoli sings the leading role in Bellini’s masterpiece.

William Letford The Spiegeltent The bricklayer turned poet takes on the Book Festival.

10 AUGUST

14 AUGUST

Shylock Assembly Roxy Gareth Armstrong's Shylock is brought to life by Guy Masterson in this masterful performance.

Mark Thompson’s Spectacular Science Show Gilded Balloon Let the TV astronomer and author show you science’s fun side.

5 AUGUST Foodies Festival Inverleith Park A delicious family day out.

6 AUGUST Mark Thomas: The Red Shed Traverse Theatre It’s the activist and comedian’s fifteenth year at the Fringe. 12

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Hot Dub Time Machine Corn Exchange The biggest rave in Fringe history.

www.edfestmag.com

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DIARY DATES EDFESTMAG.COM

15 AUGUST

I Don’t Believe It! An Evening with Victor Meldrew Assembly Roxy A recreation of Meldrew’s show.

Clockwise from top: Bourgeois & Maurice, Shylock, Irvine Welsh, Sing Along Frozen, Barry Humphries, Norma, I Don’t Believe It! An Evening with Victor Meldrew, Starman, The Snail and the Whale, RSC Live Richard II, Mark Thomas: The Red Shed, The Glass Menagerie, Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Verge of Strife, The Pianist and Frankenstein

17 AUGUST

21 AUGUST

Hamlet in Bed Pleasance Courtyard Starring the great Annette Toole.

The Snail and the Whale Pleasance Courtyard The popular adaptation returns.

18 AUGUST

22 AUGUST

Bourgeois & Maurice Underbelly A wonderfully surreal cabaret.

Sao Paulo Symphony Orchestra Usher Hall The brilliant Marin Alsop conducts.

The Glass Menagerie King’s Theatre Starring Cherry Jones.

16 AUGUST

19 AUGUST

23 AUGUST

Alistair McGowan Gilded Balloon McGowan does twelve impressions.

Joe Lycett Assembly Hall Let Lycett show you the way.

20 AUGUST

24 AUGUST

Lionel Shriver Baillie Gifford Talks about her new novel.

Erica Jong Baillie Gifford Isadora Wing is back. Sort of.

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25 AUGUST Starman Assembly George Square A cabaret celebrating the iconic David Bowie.

26 AUGUST Verge of Strife Assembly George Square Eastenders star Johnny Labey plays Rupert Brooke.

27 AUGUST Irvine Welsh Baillie Gifford Revisit Trainspotting tough boy Begbie as he carves out a new life in California.

28 AUGUST Edinburgh Comedy Awards Show Pleasance Courtyard Get tickets before it sells out!

29 AUGUST Virgin Money Fireworks Edinburgh Castle The only way to bid farewell to the festival.

EDINBURGH DIGITAL FESTIVAL Assembly Rooms

6 AUGUST Sing Along Frozen You know the whole family will love it, just let it go.

7 AUGUST RSC Live Richard 11 David Tennant plays the lead.

11 & 22 AUGUST Monty Python Live (Mostly) The famous ensemble reunites.

13 AUGUST Frankenstein Starring Benedict Cumberbatch

15 AUGUST The Audience Marvel at the wonderful Helen Mirren.

21 AUGUST Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake Powerful, poignant and poised. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 16:17

CABARET ALAN CUMMING

CUMMING BACK FOR MORE ght cabaret show Alan Cumming’s late-ni diences to see one is a chance for home au ports up close of Scotland’s finestPHex OTOGRAPHY TRÉ WORDS SAM PETERS

gone from Scotland for lan Cumming has been ting from the Royal a long time. After gradua and Drama, he spent sic Mu Scottish Academy of k ore moving to New Yor a decade in London bef a ps kee he – lly ona asi es home occ a 18 years ago. He still com ing film s recently at Scone Palace re mo flat in Edinburgh, and wa for ay aw n bee 51-year-old has VisitScotland ad – but the than half his life. means born in Aberfeldy, which “I tell Americans I was with a ts oun rec ger or/writer/sin nothing to them,” the act , but only stie nou Car r nea up g growin laugh. “I might mention s born in wa I say I that. So, generally, States golf people might know the in it e lov I t Bu e. near Dunde w?’ Perthshire and grew up sgo Gla you from, Edinburgh or k?’ ” when they say, ‘Where are Yor w Ne or es gel you from, Los An Neither! ‘And where are nburgh Edi m fro y, wa a in is, mming Artistically, however, Cu w, he and while studying in Glasgo 4, 198 In w. sgo Gla and ir Victor the k too n r Forbes Masso erstwhile comedy partne Harry the at on re we e “W . Fringe & Barry double act to the ps to do sto He e.” tom of the Royal Mil still Younger Hall at the bot I’m d An ! me k F** ! 32 years ago re’s the math(s). “That was the ybe ma e show, ha ha! Although doing basically the sam it.” a little more nuance to ming in the nburgh since then, perfor Edi to k bac n He has bee Bacchae The ’s tland and John Tiffany National Theatre of Sco w sho the UK the in s premièring in 2007. But this year he’ the past for off and on US the g tourin with which he has been that: a lategs Sappy Songs is exactly year. Alan Cumming Sin emotional of tion lec col a performs night cabaret in which he h has eac some are heavier, but numbers. Some are funny, or three. te cdo ane an and comes with special meaning to him y’, ‘Wh ’s nox Len nie An of dition So, after an opening ren ow’, Kn We ly On Keane’s ‘Somewhere ry’, followed by a version of Glo of ge ‘Ed s ga’ Ga y medley of Lad A this all-rounder does a ry. Per ’ and ‘Firework’ by Katy Adele’s ‘Someone Like You g… diva trifecta in one son it because s intense. But, also, I do “Totally!” he beams. “It’ ation not erv king song! It’s a little obs they’re all the same f** n I say, the t Bu sic. mu ut banality in about plagiarism but abo erated ven st mo the n eve e , becaus ‘That’s not a judgement write songs n Sondheim, say – will phe Ste – ius gen l sica mu im mash-up, dhe Son a e.’ Then I do that kinda sound the sam

EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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s.” like one song in 45 second where I make it all sound ties par ow out of the after-sh The show grew in part adway ssing room during his Bro dre his in ted hos Cumming w called sho an o in 2009 I did a one-m run in Cabaret. “But als done I’d e tim t firs the s ay, which wa Alan I Bought a Blue Car Tod led cal ified into another show was a cabaret. That transmogr I , t are Cab ng n while I was doi Cumming: Uncut. And the k.” Yor w Ne in lyle at Café Car asked to do two weeks s he’s singing ult. In it, Cumming say res the is gs Son py Sap er thought I’d nev I ists he’d sing, “by art songs he never thought intrigued by I’m us. Cyr ey Mil Climb’ by go for”. Such as? “‘The stand back you If ental about music. the way people are judgm off your e tak and us it’s Miley Cyr from that song and forget ely lov lyric. a beautiful song with a judge-y hat, it’s actually ng cynical.” bei t hou it completely, wit And I commit to singing ists, with ins he ” ny, iro do ’t , I don He isn’t being ironic? “No nt to be wa I g. I do, but not when I sin no evident irony. “Well, es.” etim som you er rug from und authentic. Then I pull the the show in s tion sec the in es g com Some of that rug-pullin www.edfestmag.com

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CABARET ALAN CUMMING A U G U S T

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I do, but not “I don’t do irony. Well, authentic” when I sing. I want to be at the heart father, the abusive figure where he talks about his ir, Not mo me 4 201 painfully honest of Cumming’s excellent, moir, You me ond sec a ted ple s com My Father’s Son. Now he’ ing at the s, which he’ll be launch am Dre ger Big t Ge tta Go was, he says It e. hom it l during his vis Edinburgh Book Festiva least, he easier book to write – not with some relief, a much because off d rte sta around photos. It adds, “because it’s based ries for sto le litt ote wr and years ago I had an exhibition a few some – ple just me with famous peo table each photo. It wasn’t all a on es Tim k Yor y of the New are little scenes, like a cop tles, then bot r bee e som h wit d, lor die on the day Elizabeth Tay Or there en I met Elizabeth Taylor. wh ut abo ry sto the tell I h my dog. wit trip try oun did a cross-c are photos from when I y’ve got the nearly 15 years ago, and Some of them are from

www.edfestmag.com

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took two me complaining how it funny period details, like .” dem mo l-up using the dia hours to upload a photo to him, is at, wh – gs son py sap to y From crappy technolog his show? in g gin sin the numbers he’s the defining essence of melody or the h oug thr er eith nects, “It’s a song that just con it hits you and s – it hits you in the gut most probably the lyric d to sing use r the bro s a little boy, my in the heart. When I wa rs. I tea o cry. I would just burst int ttish ‘Danny Boy’ to make me Sco I’m ’. ling es, the pipes are cal es think it’s the line, ‘the pip Tim in er pip a r hea “I ghs again. – what can I say?” he lau I get misty.” and k Yor w Ne in Square

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WHERE & WHEN Sappy Songs Alan Cumming Sings 0131 473 2000 30pm, from £30 Tel: 10. t, gus The Hub, 6–27 Au

Life Misadventures Alan Cumming: True m £12 27 August, 6.45pm, fro e, atr The Baillie Gifford Tel: 0845 373 5888

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EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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COMEDY STEWART LEE

â&#x20AC;&#x153;Lots of the famous young comics I meet seem to hate me, I think because I did a routine taking the piss out of Russell Howard, and they have all at some point lived for free in one of his many housesâ&#x20AC;?

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30/06/2016 14:10

COMEDY STEWART LEE

Is this really what you wanted to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a writer. The idea of the sort of stand-up I am now didn’t appear to exist to me as a child. There was Dave Allen, I suppose. But in Solihull in the 1970s, before the internet, you weren’t going to come across Lenny Bruce or George Carlin or Bob Newhart. Folkie-comedians like Jasper Carrot, Billy Connolly, Mike Harding and Max Boyce were a big deal to me, but I still thought you had to be a big happy personality to be a stand-up, so I imagined I’d just be writing comedy. Then, in 1984, when I was 16, I saw Ted Chippington opening for The Fall in Birmingham, being all dead-pan and depressed, and then three years later, at the Fringe, I saw Jerry Sadowitz, Arthur Smith, Arnold Brown and Norman Lovett all on the same life-changing bill at the Gilded Balloon, and I realised there were ways of doing stand-up that would suit me. It’s fair to say my early stand-up was just a mishmash of them, especially Ted. So although “this” wasn’t what I wanted to be when I grew up, because I didn’t know about it when I was a child, it was what I wanted to be when I was growing up. I’ve been really lucky. Simple economics would make it much more difficult today. When we left college, our friend Simon Mills made us all fill in a thing saying what we wanted to be. This was 1989. I wrote “Obscure Cult Figure”, which I think I have pretty much nailed, so well done to me.

A U G U S T

a noticeable influence on people – and Ted Chippington has been very kind about my obvious debt to him. In my book How I Escaped My Certain Fate I went into great detail about the specific debts I thought I owed to people who had influenced, inspired or helped me in my standup – people like Ted, Greg Fleet, Simon Munnery, Richard Herring, Julian Cope, Bridget Christie and many more. I am reluctantly annoyed that mainstream acts are assimilating all my ideas about how to film and edit standup, often using crews I had worked with and trained up, but without understanding the reasons why the moves are there; but when people rip off stuff – dramatic moods and performance-art steals – and then jam them into normal stand-up sets without there being any character-driven build to them, it’s a bit rubbish. I worry that what I do will appear like a cliché, because it is copied. I am often accused on social media of being influenced by people who actually post-date me, or who used to book me all the time for their little gigs, and who I know have assimilated things from me – such as Gervais. The good thing is that if what you do becomes a trope, it’s time to move on from it – although when people tell me I need to move on from certain things, the contrarian in me just does them even more.

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THE COMEDY VEHICLE ROLLS ON

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WORDS KATE COPSTICK PHOTOGRAPHY IDIL SUKAN

The TV series being cancelled is a huge help in not having to mellow. It becomes less convincing to be apart from everything when on some level you are a media insider. Also, helpfully, the global drift towards the right, and the general trend towards the abject unpleasantness of everyone, means there is ever more to be irked by. A woman in Hackney spat fully in my face today, after I remonstrated with her for stepping out in front of my car while wearing headphones and not looking. Now my eyes sting. I’ll probably get eye hepatitis. You’re undoubtedly a role model for many disaffected middle-class young people who think they are comedians. Does that irritate you, worry you or feed your secretly massive comedy ego?

Well, as Jesus said, I am whatever you say I am. I too was once a disaffected middle-class youth who thought he was a comedian, and in the end I made that my clown persona. I suppose it irritates me when people rip me off under the guise of parodying me to audiences who aren’t familiar with my work and then get four-star reviews for rewriting what is basically my material; it seems rude to go on the same bill as me before me doing a shit version of my stuff, leaving me nowhere to go. I don’t really mind being

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Stewart Lee’s new show will see the deadpan stand-up bring his embittered-persona act to the Edinburgh stage. It is an act, isn’t it?

Is there any prospect of you mellowing?

www.edfestmag.com

When so many people admire you, who do you admire?

Again, I am not sure it is the case that ‘so many people admire’ me. Brendon Burns explained to me that I am the kind of comedian that people who know nothing about stand-up say they like in order to try and seem clever. It was kind and thoughtful of him to take the time out of his busy schedule to do this. Lots of the young famous comics I meet seem to hate me, I think because I did a routine taking the piss out of the amount Russell Howard’s PR says he earns, as opposed to the amount he raises for charity, and they have all at some point lived for free in one of his many houses. Certainly, most comedians’ podcasts just seem to be people like Mark Watson slagging me off and making up untrue things about me, which I am not there to correct, and then they ignore my emails. Believe it or not, I actually like most stand-up. It is my favourite thing and it is the thing that interests me above all others, which is why I talk about it on stage. Here’s a list of 40 people I like, or liked, off the top of my head, who all make me laugh madly and also inspire me, some of whom I have personal relationships with, some of whom I know actively despise me. Some are dead, most are alive, and some are barely out of the box. I’m sorry it’s so white and male:

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#EDINTFEST

THE GL ASS M ENA G ERIE TENNESSEE WILLIAMS

TONY AWARD-NOMINATED BROADWAY HIT SHOW ‘John Tiffany’s stunning production... be prepared to have the breath knocked out of you’ New York Times

‘extraordinary… heart rending’ WBUR

‘glorious… it lights up the dark’

5–21 AUGUST BOOK NOW EIF.CO.UK 0131 473 2000

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AMERICAN REPERTORY THEATER DIRECTED BY JOHN TIFFANY

Supported by The Pirie Rankin Charitable Trust

Charity No SC004694

New York Times

30/06/2016 14:46

COMEDY STEWART LEE

Kevin MacAleer Daniel Kitson Simon Munnery Greg Fleet Josie Long Bridget Christie Jerry Sadowitz Lenny Bruce Ken Campbell Mike Wilmott Lewis Schaffer Grainne Maguire Aamer Rahman Will Franken Paul Sinha Holly Burn George Carlin Nish Kumar Eleanor Tiernan Bill Hicks Kevin Eldon Steve Carlin Harry Hill Boothby Graffoe Tony Law Hans Teeuwen Johnny Vegas Phil Kaye Ted Chippington Maria Bamford David O’Doherty Michael Legge Henning Wehn Norman Lovett Judith Lucy Earl Okin Pappy’s Kunt & The Gang Mark Doherty Oscar McLennan Your new book, Content Provider, is a collection of your newspaper columns. What is the difference between writing a set and writing a column?

I think the newspaper columns are being written by the sort of person who would write for a liberal broadsheet. He sort of overlaps with me but he isn’t me, and is shaped by the hostile below-the-line comments, as I respond to them by becoming more like the things that annoy trolls. The columns are never any use for stand-up, really, apart from the odd line. The written columns are meant to sound like writing, whereas stand-up is writing broken down and distressed into a form of pretend conversation. If it’s too “written”, it isn’t believable. David Mitchell’s monologues on The 11 O’Clock Show were the same as his columns, for example, and were not performance pieces as such, for all their strengths. Do you have any ambitions left?

Not really. At least they have changed. I got a version of what I did to work, most of the time, on TV. I’ve made one or two concert DVDs that I’m pleased with. I don’t want to do theatre or film or TV drama or write a novel. I suppose now I am interested in whether it is possible to maintain the gradual decline of what must be my peak audience numbers over the next 20 or so years, at a slow enough rate to discharge the various financial and familial responsibilities I now have. It will be interesting to see if audiences allow me to continue to develop and whether it is financially viable to do so. I don’t think anyone in the “I actually like most stand-up. UK has written quite It is my favourite thing, and it is as much stand-up as the thing that interests me me over such a long period, and if they have above all others, which is why they certainly haven’t I talk about it on stage” toured it as relentlessly or intensely or in such lengthy shows. From a health and sanity point of view, I probably can’t keep that up, but it will be interesting to see what more I can do with the form of stand-up and the trust of audiences, and to see how to sell what I do in an environment that is increasingly controlled by the same narrow band of commercial interests, without having to resort to the prostitution of social media. I would like to lose weight and read more, and listen to all the ’65–’66 Bob Dylan studio outtakes. I would like to live long enough to see my kids grow up. And then die.

Stewart Lee’s Content Provider is a work in progress at The Stand and will be touring throughout 2016/2017. His book of selected prose, also entitled Content Provider, is published on 4 Aug, £14.99 (Faber & Faber). Where & When Stewart Lee: Content Provider The Stand Comedy Club, 5-28 August (not 15, 16), 12.45pm, from £10 Tel: 0131 558 7272 www.edfestmag.com

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EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 14:11

THEATRE SALLY PHILLIPS

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THEATRE SALLY PHILLIPS A U G U S T

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Sally Phillips and Lily Bevan are bringing their Radio 4 series of comic monologues to Edinburgh – not to change the world, but certainly to address it WORDS CLAIRE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY BRONWEN SHARP

eople, muses Sally Phillips, “often assume we are writing plays for women because there aren’t enough female roles out there. But very often the characters we create could be women or men.” It’s a conclusion she came to while putting together Talking to Strangers, the much-anticipated show she and Lily Bevan are bringing to Assembly Theatre. Their jointly written series of comic monologues, which was previously a Radio 4 series, was born out of conversations in an office kitchen. “Lily and I were both working in the same offices in London – I was writing screenplays and she was writing for the theatre,” says Phillips. “Everyone there was working very hard and it was very quiet – so she and I spent a lot of time in the kitchen, talking about how hard it is to write stuff when you haven’t been in front of an audience for a while. So we decided to do something together.” Phillips, one of the creators of sketch show Smack the Pony, is one of Britain’s best known comic actors,

“I did all my growing up in Edinburgh. Now when I go back I get terrible flashbacks – thinking, Oh, I think I was sick in this underpass” with recurring roles in I’m Alan Partridge, Miranda and Veep. She first came to the Fringe in 1990, but has not performed there since 1997, when she appeared alongside Simon Munnery, Stewart Lee and Julian Barratt in Cluub Zarathustra. “I didn’t go to drama school – I did all my growing up in Edinburgh,” she laughs. “I used to do three or four shows a day. Now when I go back I get terrible flashbacks – thinking, ‘Oh, I think I was sick in this underpass.’” This year will be different. She’ll be bringing her husband and children and she’ll be taking centre stage. “In 1997 I was flying up and down to do Alan Partridge, which was filming at the same time. I’m looking forward to this being me and Lily. I was quite often the straight woman in the guys’ shows.” In Talking to Strangers, which runs for a week at Assembly, Phillips and Bevan will be performing monologues from the Radio 4 series. The selection will vary from performance to performance and they may

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also bring in a couple of new characters, created just for Edinburgh. The monologues of Alan Bennett and the sketches of Harold Pinter are among the inspirations for the piece, which is billed as theatre rather than comedy, but which will most certainly be full of laughs. Bevan says: “It’s all funny, but there is a lot more going on. It’s more dramatic than sketch comedy.” Phillips explains: “With sketch comedy, each line exists to get a laugh. It exists to be funny. But we don’t do ‘funny characters’; it is all about the situation. And there are no puns.” Among the characters are a Hampton Court guide with a scant grasp of history and a marriage counsellor who struggles to talk about sex. One sketch takes place in a cancer support group, where a group of women are being “sung to death” by Bette Midler. As Sophie the receptionist in Alan Partridge, Phillips’s speciality was the awkward silence. “My favourite thing in acting is the gap – what isn’t said,” she explains. “When I read a script where the character doesn’t say very much, I get excited. Most people don’t say very much.” Both share a love of words, a taste for absurdity, and a willingness to appear awkward and vulnerable on stage. Bevan says: “We both have a really good ear. We’ll hear bits of conversation on buses and turn it into something else. And we are both able to draw on our own fallibility, our own quirks.” Phillips is hugely impressed by her writing partner: “I think she is just amazing,” she says of Bevan. “She was at RADA, she’s written plays for the Royal Court, she has written with amazing people. I love her writing and she is funny in the best way. But she writes in a wordier way than I do because her background is in the theatre.” The beauty of the monologue format is that it allows Phillips and Bevan to be thoughtful and dark without having to forego the laughs. As theatre, it can be serious and not serious at the same time. “The idea is to address the world,” Phillips says, “but we are not going in with a mission. We’re not intending to reorder the world.” WHERE & WHEN Sally Phillips & Lily Bevan: Talking to Strangers Assembly George Square Studios, 15 -21 August, 8pm, from £12.50 Tel: 0131 623 3030

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30/06/2016 17:35

THEATRE MY EYES WENT DARK

al MacAninch is sitting in a Portobello café talking about facing up to his demons. Fifteen years ago, he’d been going through a rough time. Recognising his distress, his ex-girlfriend had signed him up for a course on forgiveness. “My mum had died six months previously and I didn’t realise I’d gone into a sort of depression,” says the star of Mr Selfridge and Downton Abbey. “The phrase I learned was, ‘Forgiveness is giving up the need to punish.’ We go through our lives thinking, ‘They’ve wronged me, so I’m going to have to treat them like this.’ The course got you to imagine the whole room from every angle. You begin to see the stories we make up about how we’ve been wronged. Once you’ve been through all that, the world is a more joyous place.” The question of blame and revenge is on the 52-yearold actor’s mind. He’s starring in My Eyes Went Dark, a two-hander by Matthew Wilkinson, opposite Doctor Foster star Thusitha Jayasundera. It’s about a bereaved father who seeks vengeance on the air-traffic controller he holds responsible for the accidental death of his family. Society frowns upon vigilantes, but MacAninch

can’t be certain he wouldn’t react in the same way. “Once you’ve got kids you just don’t know,” he says, thinking of his three daughters to fellow actor Shauna Macdonald. “Having children opened up a connection to the world I’d never had. No matter how much I was in love with my wife before, once I had my kids it was a new thing – a tsunami of love. So if someone wrenches that away from you, I really don’t know what I’d do.” The play is based on a true story. In 2002, two planes collided, killing 71 people. Among them were the wife and two children of Russian architect Vitaly Kaloyev. The official explanation was human error and weaknesses in the collision-avoidance system. Frustrated by the attitude of the authorities, Kaloyev went to the house of Peter Nielson, the air-traffic controller who had been on duty alone that day. He said his intention had been to confront Nielson with pictures of his dead family. Instead, he stabbed him to death. He was sentenced to eight years, later reduced to five, and released in 2007 for good behaviour. “Writing the play, Matthew Wilkinson loved the story but found the ending unsatisfying, so in the end he flips it, so you get a form of redemption,” says MacAninch

VIGILANTE ACT TV regular Cal MacAninch returns to the stage in My Eyes Went Dark, the true story of a father who seeks vengeance for the death of his family – a role that raises difficult questions of blame and revenge for the devoted dad of three WORDS MARK FISHER

When it played at London’s 50-seat Finborough Theatre in 2015, critic Michael Billington observed that, “what matters is less its documentary veracity than Wilkinson’s uncanny ability to get inside the skin of a man tormented by grief.” The critic wasn’t alone in his enthusiasm, making MacAninch and Jayasundera all the more eager for it to be seen by a wider audience. “It’s an extraordinary experience for the audience – very intense,” says MacAninch, recalling one spectator who found it too traumatic to stay to the end. “It’s pretty gruesome and brutal, but it’s just words; it’s what people’s imaginations in a small space conjure.” All the same, it is not without some trepidation that MacAninch returns to the play. “Part of me is dreading it because I don’t want to go back to that place,” says the actor, just home from a New York run of The Judas Kiss alongside Rupert Everett. “But I saw it as a really important play. I read it eight times before I agreed to do it and every time I read it, it just got me. I’ve just got to tell this story.” WHERE & WHEN My Eyes Went Dark, Traverse, 5–28 August, times vary, from £8.50 Tel: 0131 228 1404

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THEATRE MY EYES WENT DARK A U G U S T

“I read it eight times before I agreed to do it and every time I read it, it just got me. I’ve just got to tell this story”

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EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 14:19

DANCE NATALIA OSIPOVA

BALLET FOR THE R

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emarkable”, “Incredible” and “Stunning” – when it comes to Natalia Osipova, choreographers don’t hold back on their praise. The men behind these quotes – Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Russell Maliphant and Arthur Pita – were all handpicked by the Russian ballerina to create new works for her show at the International Festival, Natalia Osipova and Guests, and with good reason. All three choreographers are well versed in creating works for classically trained dancers, with their ballets regularly performed at the Royal Opera House and Sadler’s Wells. A current Principal with the Royal Ballet, having danced with the Bolshoi and American Ballet Theatre previously, Osipova is renowned for her strong technique and dramatic interpretation – something Cherkaoui, Maliphant and Pita were keen to tap into. “Natalia has incredible skill and an incredible body

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Russian ballerina Natalia Osipova has handpicked three choreographers to create new works – works that will push her to the limits of her physical and mental abilities WORDS KELLY APTER PHOTOGRAPHY TRISTRAM KENTON

BOLD – but most of all she has an incredible mind,” says Cherkaoui. “Her technique has been acquired through years of training, but that’s also mixed with something very organic, because she’s a natural mover, too. And usually it’s one or the other – some dancers are extremely good at being copycats, others naturally bring out something personal. But Natalia has both – her physical flexibility is also a reflection of her mental flexibility.” Cherkaoui’s work for Osipova is a trio inspired by the human need for emotional connectedness, especially in times of difficulty. She is joined by male dancers Jason Kittelberger and James O’Hara for the work, and rehearsing without all three in the room was an impossibility. “All of them had to be there, because in the piece they never stop touching,” explains the choreographer. “There is constant physical touch – the three dancers are like one entity, inter-dependent.” For Maliphant, it was Osipova’s ability to use her classical technique in a contemporary way that impressed him. “Natalia has excellent strength, articulation and precision, so that’s already a great start,” he says. “But, more than that, she has the capability to be very classical and very modern at the same time. She’s openminded to new vocabularies, and already has familiarity with techniques that are very different to the ones usually employed in classical training – and I find that very exciting.” In Maliphant’s duet, Osipova will dance with Ukrainian ballet star (and real-life partner) Sergei Polunin – also known for his masterful technique. “I hope the piece will show the remarkable artistry of Natalia and Sergei in a new light,” says Maliphant, “and allow audiences to see the incredible classical technique of these two remarkable dancers in a new way.” Osipova’s first foray into contemporary dance took place in 2014, when she performed at the London Coliseum in works by Cherkaoui and Pita – both of whom were more than happy to be asked back. “I was absolutely thrilled,” says Pita, “because I loved

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DANCE NATALIA OSIPOVA A U G U S T

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“Natalia has incredible skill and an incredible body – but most of all she has an incredible mind” working with her the last time. I’m a fan – I love what she does and how she does it. First of all, it’s her body and what she can do technically. But she also has this very special mix of vulnerability and immense strength, and she can switch from one to the other so well. It is all in her DNA.” Pita’s piece, Run Mary Run (also a duet with Polunin), is inspired by the ‘death discs’ of 1960s girl group The Shangri-Las, songs in which teenage girls hook up with bad boys who die in tragic circumstances. The piece starts with Polunin’s character dying, and works backwards to what Pita calls the “love at first sight” moment. Both Osipova and Polunin have been praised for their www.edfestmag.com

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ability to inhabit a role, and it was this Pita wanted to exploit even more than their technique. “I tried not to be seduced by the fact that Natalia can lift her legs really high, because ultimately you want the choreography to serve the dance,” he says. “She can look equally beautiful doing something with low legs, no jumping and hardly any turns – she’ll still make it stunning. Just because you know the technique is there doesn’t mean you always have to use it. “And because she also has this amazing artistic talent, I really wanted to provide the movement and scenario in which she could feel free to act and interpret – so that the audience can enjoy everything she does; it’s not just somebody coming on stage and being a one-trick pony.”

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WHERE & WHEN Natalia Osipova and Guests Festival Theatre, 12–14 August, 7.30pm from £12, Tel: 0131 473 2000

EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 14:21

COMEDY OMID DJALILI

mid Djalili is a glorious meze of a man. Born in Chelsea, educated in Ireland, Iranian parents, a writer, a comedian (60th best in the world according to Channel 4), now a documentary maker and, of course, an actor. Many of his film roles have been less than glamorous (‘Bald Fat F**k’ in Dead Man Running is one that impressed me particularly) but Gladiator, Bond, Indiana Jones and Captain Jack Sparrow are impressive workmates for any jobbing movie star. And he is still the most charming man you could possibly attempt to interview in the back of a limo. He is going home after guesting on the Robert Peston show when we speak. “I was trying to talk about the Iraq War, but Robert was very distracted by cake,” Djalili says, sounding more puzzled than irritated. “They were making cakes for the Queen. It was impossible to make a serious point.” Djalili is promoting his documentary We Are Many, about the huge number of protests worldwide against the Iraq War. Djalili is very much a globalist in the nicest, most philosophical way. He doesn’t feel Iranian or British or anything, merely ‘national’ as much as a citizen of the world. He feels that the way his fellow citizens came together on that day to protest the war proves his point. “We are all trying to find our individuality and diversity

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SAYING IT

LOUD

rld the wo f o e s e sen to mak g Omid Djalili g in y r T givin out is really g to shout ab ROBINSON Y in Y AND GRAPH someth PHOTO

TICK E COPS S KAT WORD

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30/06/2016 14:31

COMEDY OMID DJALILI

“The first night the show ran twenty-two minutes. Not a single laugh. When I came off the manager asked if I was going to do an encore and I said, ‘What’s an encore?’” within the world as a whole,” he says. Even this year’s show is, “about trying to make sense of it all,” on a global scale. ‘It all’ being Isis, the oil trade and Donald Trump, but before you get alarmed, he says, “It is the best show I have ever done. And the funniest. The message is all in the comedy. I watched it back and for the first time ever I think my material is really strong. I used to think I was too shouty. But this material is something to shout about.” It is 21 years since his first show in Edinburgh. “Most comedians do ten minutes then 20. They build up to an Edinburgh hour. I went straight in with the full show. The Hill Street theatre manager asked how long it was and I said, ‘Fifty minutes. With laughs, fifty nine.” The first night the show ran twenty-two minutes. Not a single laugh. When I came off the manager asked if I was going to do an encore and I said, ‘What’s an encore?’ He had to give the audience refunds.”

A U G U S T

The following year he did a double act, “a pure double act”, with Ivor Dembina called, in a Ronseal kind of a way, ‘The Arab and The Jew’. “I am very grateful to Ivor,” Djalili says, “he sort of took me under his wing, he taught me the laws of alternative comedy, about writing your own material, honing it, finding your authentic voice. And about the structure of an Edinburgh show.” I tell him Ivor can be found in Edinburgh in August with his own show. “Then I’m going to go along and thank him,” Djalili says. “I really owe him a lot.” He is returning to the Pleasance Grand before hurtling around the country on more than 200 dates – all in proper venues. “I don’t believe in arenas,” he says. “Even if I’m watching a comedian I like from the fifth row, I find myself watching the screen. I could have watched at home.” His ideal venue would be a hundred-seater, “Where the audience can see up my nostrils and I can see the fear in their eyes when I come towards them.” There is the merest hint of a pause. “But if someone offers me two nights at the O2, I’ll take it.”

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WHERE & WHEN Omid Djalili: Schmuck for a Night Pleasance Courtyard, 23- 27 August, 4pm, from £17 Tel: 0131 556 6550

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EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 14:32

ART STEVE ULLATHORNE

CAUGHT AFTER THE ACT Steve Ullathorne's latest exhibition reveals comedians in post-show mood backstage PHOTOGRAPHER STEVE ULLATHORNE

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A U G U S T

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Clockwise from left: Michael Palin; Ronnie Golden and Barry Cryer; Ed Byrne; Alan Davies; The Boy With Tape On His Face; Count Arthur Strong; Jo Brand

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WHERE & WHEN Steve Ullathorne The New Amphion Bar @ Gilded Balloon Teviot, 5-29 August, free Tel: 0131 622 6552

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30/06/2016 15:25

BEAR HEADS SURGEONS HALL 11-21 AUG Take the family Into the Water, where bears and other enchanting creatures await

CHRIST ON A BIKE THE VOODOO ROOMS 5-28 AUG Jesus Christ sets on a hilariously unconventional quest to find new disciples

J D E D R ED A E B K A M N O R F ES TO S, N I A D I A C I L E G C A N M ERIE EXP FUN OF L THE FESTIVA THE

JAMES ACASTER PLEASANCE 3-28 AUG The comedy genius is back with a show that is as smart as it is hilarious

ANGEL GILDED BALLOON 3-29 AUG A fierce heroine takes on ISIS in Henry Naylor’s latest play

GANDINI ASSEMBLY 3-14 AUG rs Gandini’s Water on Ma is a hair-raising, mindboggling, high energy juggling feat

HOT BROWN HONEY ASSEMBLY 3-28 AUG A hive of insanely potent, unapologetically controversial and wildly raunchy cabaret stars

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A TO Z EDFESTMAG.COM

DAME NATURE G ASSEMBLY 16-29 AU nt fice gni ma a is Tim Bell bearded lady in this lt humorous yet heartfe performance

FELICITY WARD PLEASANCE 3-29 AUG Ward tackles mental health armed with sharp wit and cutting honesty

ÉOWYN EMERALD ROYAL TERRACE 5-27 AUG The rising choreographer’s powerful moves will keep you on the edge of your seat

INTERIO RS LYCEUM 5-8 AUG Truths an d secrets are unveiled in this wo rdless piece of visual th eatre

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LUCY POHL GILDED BALLOON 3-29 AUG An apohlcalyptic cocktail of character comedy, stand-up and storytelling

KATIA KVINGE GILDED BALLOON 3-29 AUG More amazing character comedy from the voice whiz and improv pro

EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 16:43

OLAF FALAFEL LAUGHING HORSE 4-28 AUG Falafel’s hilariously absurd vines put him on the comedy map, and he’s there to stay

NAKED MAGICIANS PLEASANCE 8-29 AUG Stripped of both inhibitions and clothes, the pair have many tricks up their sleeves -oh wait

MEOW MEOW G USHER HALL 8-9 AU The cabaret star joins Barry Humphries for two nights of transgressive music

SIMON SLACK UNDERBELLY 4-28 AUG Robert Cawsey’s one-man sketch show combines physical comedy, puppetry and crazy dancing

SIO O DELU TEATR 9 AUG -2 ANCE 3 PLEAS cter s chara Wordles leave l il that w comedy ss le h c e you spe

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE ASSEMBLY 23-27 Much Ado About Nothing like you’ve never seen it before: fast-paced, irreverent and bicycle powered 32

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PANTI AUG SE 8-14 R E TRAV anti’s P d in h be The story from y t journe poignan nt to ia g e anc perform t is v ti c a iconic

QUEEN LEAR ASSEMBLY 4-29 AUG The hauntingly lyrical untold story of Lear’s forgotten queen

RORY BREMNER GILDED BALLOON 13-19 AUG Discover the behind-thescenes of the comedy world with Bremner’s clever talk show

UTO THE SPACE 16-27 AUG Premiering at the Fringe, this show is an explosion of percussion

EXHIBITION JUPITER ARTLAND 31 JUL-25 SEPT Hayley Tompkins’ radical paint and image art

VIVA H YP ZOO 5 NOSIS -29 AU Interac G tive hy meets p glitz an nosis d glam in this our one of a kind experie nce

ZOE LYONS GILDED BALLOON 3-28 AUG Lyons embraces her individuality with hilarious style

YETI’S PLEASANCE 3-29 AUG Relentless, bizarre and irresistible musical sketch comedy

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30/06/2016 16:43

THEATRE THE TOAD KNEW

Dream within a dream Elusive, surreal and hallucinatory, the latest work by James Thierrée – grandson of Charlie Chaplin – fuses circus, dance and theatre to create something truly unique that will bewilder and bewitch audiences in equal measure WORDS BECKY DONNE

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PHOTOGRAPHY HUGUES ANHÈS

o amount of programme notes can prepare you for an experience that is like being locked inside someone else’s dream,” wrote the critic Lyn Gardner after seeing one of James Thierrée’s astonishing shows. This, after all, is a theatremaker who fuses circus, mime, magic, music and dance to create a hybrid that is as unique to him as your dreams are to you. And naturally, when it comes to dreaming, Thierrée likes to do things his own way. That’s why, from acting to set design to plotting the lights, he is deeply involved in every aspect of what we see on stage. “It’s exhausting,” he laughs. “It’s like if someone asks you, ‘What did you dream last night?’ But you lived through something very specific in your sleep and you’re not going to have anyone saying, ‘No, but at that point, the cat –’ No, excuse me, it’s my dream! With my work it’s the same thing. I have a very intense feeling about what I want

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to put on and I just want to see it, feel it and hear it.” Because of this, it seems like a futile task to describe his latest show The Toad Knew (or, in French, La grenouille avait raison) which has its UK première at the Edinburgh International Festival. Just as it’s impossible to give a full account of one of our own dreams, so this beguiling spectacle remains tantalisingly out of reach. “I’m always playing with meaning,” he says. “I don’t want meaning and I’m searching for meaning – both things!” If ever he feels the urge to explain a story, he feels a simultaneous urge to deny there is one. Perhaps you will plot your own narrative, but he’s not going to impose one on you. Instead, he suggests, we should “give up the necessity to understand exactly who these people are and what these characters are doing.” So we could talk about the floating platforms above the performers’ heads, glowing in reds and greens. We could

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30/06/2016 15:28

THEATRE THE TOAD KNEW A U G U S T

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“I express myself more with mime and comic burlesque physicality, but I don’t see the separation between the techniques – I see it more like aspects of the personality”

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mention the self-playing piano with a mind of its own; the mesmerising blues singer who is nearly-but-not-quite a narrator; and the enormous white toad that seems to offer release from a subterranean prison. But still the exact meaning slips through our fingers. Easier, perhaps, to talk about the range of influences that feed into the show. When it comes to pedigree, Thierrée is showbiz royalty. His great-grandfather was the American playwright Eugene O’Neill and his grandfather was Charlie Chaplin. The silent movie star would surely have recognised the clowning techniques and funny routines that weave in and out of the 90-minute performance. Chaplin would also have appreciated a show in which darkness is as important as light. The Toad Knew can be silly but it can also be haunting and strange. “I like things to mingle and fuse into one atmosphere,” he says. “You don’t feel, ‘Oh, she’s the dancer and he’s the acrobat.’ I express myself more with mime and comic burlesque physicality, but I don’t see the separation between the different techniques. I see it more like aspects of the personality. The set is melanwww.edfestmag.com

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cholic with a dark undertone, so the humour is a good glue.” As the son of circus performers, Thierrée had been performing for years before he even knew who Chaplin was. The greater influence on his work is the high wire, the trapeze and the big top, albeit filtered through a steampunk aesthetic that recalls the cinematic dreamscapes of Terry Gilliam, Tim Burton and David Lynch. In this, he is part of a generation of ‘new circus makers who are putting the old skills in a more artful setting. “I have a lot of affection for traditional circus,” he says. “I like the madness and the crazy physical stunts. New circus is interesting if it’s well done, if it’s not pretentious. You have to be smart to give it intellectual depth. I am part of this circus, yet I have a nostalgia for the traditional circus. My affection shows itself in The Toad Knew. Maybe that’s going to stop me becoming a respected theatre creator!”

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WHERE & WHEN The Toad Knew, King's Theatre, 24–28 August, 8pm, from £12 Tel: 0131 473 2000 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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THEATRE DAFFODILS

Love’s first bloom New Zealand playwright Rochelle Bright uses her own parents’ story to examine the eternal themes of love and loss in a new work at the Traverse WORDS CLAIRE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY GARTH BADGER

ecause her father died when she was young, Rochelle Bright says, she always wanted to hear stories about him. Now, though, it’s she who is sharing the stories with us. Her new play, Daffodils, which is making its Fringe debut after hugely successful tours of New Zealand and Australia, recounts the story of her father and mother, and how they met – as her paternal grandparents had done – on the same patch of daffodils. “My dad died 22 years ago, when I was 14,” says Bright. “I was pretty close to him. But there’s something about losing a parent before you really know them as a human being; and, as I got older, I wanted to find out who he was. I always knew I’d tell that story one day.”

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Daffodils, which is described as a ‘play with songs’, tells the story of Eric and Rose from the moment they met on the daffodil patch. The two characters see events from their own, rather different, points of view, with the emotion of the piece carried by popular songs of the era – “New Zealand’s greatest hits,” says Bright. The set is illustrated with family photographs and the script includes a section taken from Bright’s father’s diary when he left Rose to take his big trip to Europe - a rite of passage known by New Zealanders as the OE the Overseas Experience. “There is something amazing about the photos from that time,” she says. “My dad was quite a good-looking guy. Mum gave me all the letters he wrote to her. That was special, reading them and finding out what interested him.” The early sections of the story have a dream-like quality, wrapped up in the ’60s iconography of teenage romance, but as the story progresses it integrates incidents that Bright remembers from her childhood. The double-sided narrative builds dramatic tension; small miscommunications become earth-shattering

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events, while the song cycle evokes the unexpressed feelings running below the surface. “I have a lot of love for both of them, but they’re human – they’re not perfect,” reflects Bright. “They were very ordinary. But I see what happened to them as quite extraordinary. It affected my life a lot.” When Bullet Heart Club, the theatre company she founded with Kitan Petkovski, were performing their pre-Edinburgh fundraising shows in New Zealand, they attracted huge crowds. And in a preview performance in England, Bright spotted a couple of Kiwis in the audience “singing along to all the words”. Bullet Heart Club have the full blessing of the songwriters, who include Neil Finn of Crowded House. Don McGlashan, whose song ‘Anchor Me’ comes at a pivotal point in the play, was blown away by their version. “He says that song is much deeper than he thought.” Bright’s family, too, have been supportive of her wish to turn their family story into theatre. Her mum and sister will come to Edinburgh to see it. “I came to the Fringe in 2010 and saw a show at the Traverse and I can’t believe that six years later my mum will be here to see a show about her life. It’s such a dream.” WHERE & WHEN Daffodils (A Play With Songs) Traverse Theatre, 4–28 August (not 5, 8, 15, 22), times vary, from £20.50 Tel: 0131 228 1404

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30/06/2016 17:34

COMEDY GRAINNE MAGUIRE

Stand-up can function as both comedy and protest, as Gráinne Maguire discovered when she devised an innovative way to vent her frustration at Ireland’s stance on abortion INTERVIEW KATE COPSTICK PHOTOGRAPHY IDIL SUKAN

hen stand-up comedian Gráinne Maguire decided to share the details of her menstrual cycle with the Taoiseach Enda Kenny in protest at Ireland’s stance on abortion, she had no idea just how far-reaching – and hilarious – the impact would be. Her new show at the Fringe is her chance to share some of the stories. It all started when, in a fit of blind

frustration at Ireland’s viciously misogynist abortion laws, I decided to live-tweet my menstrual cycle to Enda Kenny. Since he gets to decide what happens inside my body, it’s only fair that he knows all the details, all the news from my womb – or, as I like to call it, Ireland’s littlest embassy. I thought I’d get a few pity retweets from my friends and probably a concerned phone call from my sister to check I wasn’t cracking up. That was on the Monday. By the Wednesday night Twitter was going crazy. Women all over Ireland were getting involved and writing the most hilarious tweets. By Friday it had gone global. It was being reported in the USA, Australia, Japan and India, and women from those countries were joining in too. Then Mia

Catholic and Protestant communities; which is sweet, because state ownership of women’s bodies is one of the few things they actually agree on. My new show is partly about this and

about the stories we tell ourselves to justify the often really bad choices we make in life. Ireland tells itself it’s the best little country in the world, despite the fact that the UN has ruled its treatment of women breaks their basic human rights. And in our lives we often repeat the same stories over and over again, because they’re the only ones we know. Like, I think I can trim my own fringe. I cannot trim my own fringe, but every year I forget this and think, “You know what, why don’t I just give it a go with my nail scissors? How hard can it be?” Hard. It is always hard but I never learn. So, big issues like that. I was drawn into comedy by Sean Hughes.

Our family was obsessed with him. My sister had a poster of him on her wall and we used to listen to his comedy album so many times that I can still quote whole chunks of it. My mam once threatened to take the album off us as a punishment. When I was 13, we went to see his stand-up show and I

TELLING IT Farrow started tweeting about it, then Hozier, so teenage girls in America got involved. It was a very bizarre week. Things aren’t great between me and

Enda at the moment. I don’t see him as much as I’d like. He sends me secret messages via blinks in TV interviews, but that’s it. To be honest, I miss him. It was very satisfying that a silly joke

I came up with on the bus meant that Ireland’s guilty secret was being talked about a bit more. Even some of my friends in the UK weren’t aware that abortion is still illegal in both the North and the Republic of Ireland. A friend asked if the reason abortion was illegal in Ireland was in case it divided

“I’ve sat through so many routines about prostate exams, I sometimes feel I’ve had one. If I were ever to suddenly experience erectile dysfunction, I’d have the tools to deal with it” 38

queued up twice to get him to sign my programme. That man was a big deal in our house. He was like a member of the family, our big brother who’d moved to London who we all had a weird inappropriate crush on. I’ve sat through so many routines about

prostate exams, I sometimes feel I’ve had one. I have a working knowledge of most embarrassing male conditions. If I were ever to suddenly experience erectile dysfunction, I would have the tools to deal with it. So I get very frustrated when a female comedian talks about an experience that is uniquely female, like periods, and some male audience members either faint or act like they should be given a Pride of Britain award for sitting through it without dissolving of boredom. If a man can’t handle listening to jokes about our bloody knickers once a month, piss off back to your Top Gear re-runs and stop being so boring. WHERE & WHEN Gráinne Maguire: Great People Making Great Choices Pleasance Courtyard, 3–29 August (not 16), 7.15pm, from £12 Tel: 0131 556 6550

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THE BIGGEST PARTY IN FRINGE HISTORY FRIDAY SATURDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY

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EDINBURGH CORN EXCHANGE B O O K N OW L I V E N A T I O N . C O . U K

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ike Ward, a Canadian comic known for his ‘edgy’ style, went on national TV some months ago and, little knowing the Pandora’s Box of litigious horror that he would open, did a bit of material about a boy with a disfiguring disease. The young man in question had become famous when he sang for the Pope. Ward became the first thing about fame the young man and his family didn’t like. And they demonstrated their dislike of Ward’s joke by taking him to the Canadian Court of Human Rights, where he faces a fine of $60,000 and a ban from performing in Canada. “Some people just don’t get comedy,” says Ward, philosophically. To be fair, Ward is no oil painting himself and perhaps he has more in common with his alleged victim than people are giving him credit for. He takes my criticism on the not particularly well-defined chin “I’m handsome in a Down’s syndrome way,” he says. “Black people can do black jokes, gay people can do gay jokes, I should be allowed to make fun of the ugly.”

“I love having short fat people around me. As far as looks go, I'm a 6... but I might be an Edinburgh 7” Ward has never met the person who could destroy his career. “Just in court,” he says, “he was there with his family. Weird having your joke played in court while a bunch of people are crying. Definitely living the dream.” But the Court and The Professionally Offended aside, the general reaction has been positive “It’s been amazing,” Ward says. “I’ve gotten a lot of love. I’ve gotten so much positive press, Social Justice Warriors don’t realise that by trying to shut me down they made me famous.” And now he is the poster boy (albeit not a very pretty one) for free speech. “I’m just glad I had the money to defend myself in court. If this happened to a struggling comic he would be soooooo f****d.” Does anything offend him? “There are tons of things that I find offensive,” he says, “but if something you say offends me, that’s my problem not yours. I should just leave or change channels. www.edfestmag.com

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C he ana fo ft di bo r h y fin an is e co W O yf ‘e a m RD o dg nd ic r S KA fr y’ a M TE e st ba ik CO e e y PS sp TI e le, n fr Wa CK e c bu om rd PH h tt p m O ha he e a TO G sn un rfo y b RA PH o p lik rmi e fa Y GE lan el y ng cin O RG s ne at g t E w ho a FO o K sh ut pos me up te r

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COMEDY MIKE WARD

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Contemplating his future, Ward says, “I can’t lose. If I do, I’m screwed. I’m gonna have to leave Canada. I’m gonna have to find someone in the UK willing to marry a chubby (semi-lesbian looking) comedian so I can get my citizenship.” I ask if there is any part of him (bank balance aside), that regrets the gag. “No,” he says, “because it was a joke. I wrote it to make people laugh and it did. I’m a good comic.” So, does he have anything offensive lined up for Edinburgh, what with the short fat ginger population being a readymade target? “I love having short fat people around me. As far as looks go, I’m a 6... but I might be an Edinburgh 7.”

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WHERE & WHEN Mike Ward: Freedom of Speech Isn’t Free Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3-28 August (not 25), 8.45pm, from £10 Tel: 0131 622 6552

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Comedians wear masks in protest at the Canadian Comedy Awards Apih Gala

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COMEDY KATY BRAND

ne Sunday at the age of 13, Katy Brand went to her local church and became a fundamentalist Christian. Hooked from then on, she says, she put the ‘fun’ into fundamentalism. And the ‘mental’. She was obnoxious, but at least she knew she was going to heaven. Now, older and wiser, she’s not so sure. This is the premise behind the 37-yearold comedian’s new show. How did she get from there to the likes of Katy Brand’s Big Ass Show – and is it painful or just amusing to look back? Did she have pictures of God on her teenage bedroom wall rather than posters of pop star crushes? Oh, I had my fair share of teenage

crushes and, luckily for me, the particular form of Christianity I went for – happyclappy, evangelical C of E – encourages Christian rock music, with cute young worship bandleaders who play guitar. That was my crush – our worship bandleader. He was the only pop star I was interested in. Before I started going to church, I was

totally obsessed with Michael Jackson – I wrote him 20-page letters, papered my bedroom walls with his posters, tried to trick international directory enquiries into giving me his phone number. I was so obsessed that I made myself sick with guilt when I heard a Prince song on the radio and liked it – I felt I had betrayed him. I am quite an all-or-nothing person. Perhaps

when I found Jesus, I just felt that he was more accessible than Michael Jackson – I literally had more chance of meeting him. I had lost my faith by the end of my

first year at university, studying Theology. It had been waning since I was 16, when I started having big questions that no one at my church could or wanted to answer. I felt frightened, because it was slipping away and I didn’t know what I’d do without it. I wouldn’t say I am religious at all now,

although I like having a sense of the mysterious. There is so much that is unexplained in the world and I like some of the poetic solutions that religion offers. I am fascinated by the collective unconscious too. But I’ll never go back to being a Christian. Jesus is a fascinating figure in history, but so little of Christianity is about Jesus. Most of the New Testament was written by Paul, the ultimate PR man. Most of what I have done is in the sketch

world, which I love, but I wanted to try something new. I was starting to find performing sketches live frustrating, because

“If you want a career in comedy, don’t try to be nice, try to be interesting”

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the bigger and more structured a show gets, the less spontaneous you can be, and I felt a little locked in. But an audience is an audience and the same rules apply if you want to embark on a career in comedy: don’t try to be nice, try to be interesting.

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This is my first show about me, rather

than a character. I like the detachment you can have when you perform characters, but when I wrote my book Brenda Monk Is Funny, I did a literary festival tour where I did talk as myself on stage, and I found I enjoyed it, and the people who came didn’t seem annoyed that I hadn’t done a Lily Allen impression in a wig, or leapt up and performed the ‘Single Ladies’ dance. That gave me the confidence to try going on stage as myself.

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I am working on a sequel to that book,

which was crowdfunded. I love the ‘1000 true fans’ ethos, where you have people who enjoy what you create, and as long as you keep creating and keep your overheads low, those people will buy what you make and keep you in beans. A combination of creative and financial independence is the Holy Grail as far as I am concerned.

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WHERE & WHEN Katy Brand: I Was a Teenage Christian Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 August (not 15), 4.45pm, from £12 Tel: 0131 556 6550

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Comedian and writer Katy Brand is taking a break from the characters and sketches with her return to Edinburgh and simply going on stage as herself

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INTERVIEW KATE COPSTICK PHOTOGRAPHY KARLA GOWLETT

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THE PIANIST 12:25 PM · Aug 4-29 Assembly Roxy Central

At the peak of high society entertainment sits The Pianist’s pianist. Impeccable in every aspect, he glides through life, never placing a foot out of step. He is, in a word: perfection. At least... that’s what he thinks.

(Circus, clown)

THE CHICKEN TRIAL 2:15 PM · Aug 3-28 Pleasance Courtyard The Cellar

Can art be put on trial? Yes says Swedish law system, that prosecuted art student Makode Linde, who brought a hat full of chickens to an art event. The Chicken Trial is a documentary fantasy based on the court case.

(Theatre - satire, political)

RED 9:00 PM · Aug 5-21 Dance Base

Carl Knif’s solo is dance on a knife-edge: an intimate portrait of an individual struggling with a red inner warning light. Red is a performance about extremes – subtle and full of personal courage.

(Dance) CARL KNIF COMPANY

twitter: @starttofinnish

www.starttofinnish.fi

From Start to Finnish is an annual showcase presented at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe that represents the best in Finnish performing arts. Now in its 6th year, From Start to Finnish 2016 features Thomas Monckton in solo contemporary circus show The Pianist, political satire The Chicken Trial from ACE-Production and Carl Knif’s dance solo about emotional struggle RED.

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COMEDY TOM ALLEN

Growing up feeling as if he didn’t fit in gave Tom Allen a head start when it came to comedy WORDS JAY RICHARDSON PHOTOGRAPHY ANDY HOLLINGSWORTH

ST OU AN TH T D E FR ING CR O OW M D

om Allen made his Fringe debut a decade ago, after winning the prestigious So You Think You’re Funny and BBC Radio New Comedy Awards. Erudite, witty and sartorially refined, he immediately impressed fellow finalist Sarah Millican. The pair have since become firm friends and Allen recently supported the Geordie comic on tour around the UK and Australia. “We’re both quite sardonic,” the 33-year-old says of their relationship. “And we’re outsiders. We have the viewpoint of having grown up without knowing where we fitted in. “Of course, that’s a really useful position for a comic – peering in at the window, never on the inside of the party. Maybe that’s what makes us laugh about each other and probably why we’ve been friends for such a long time. She’s so inspiring and has always been so generous, warm and encouraging, teaching me so much.” After developing the persona of an urbane, rather posh and mannered Victorian gentleman at school in Bromley “as a way of deflecting bullying”, Allen

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seemed to arrive in comedy fully formed. “I always spoke differently to my parents and the people around me,” he reflects. “Maybe that was something to do with my sexuality in some kind of subliminal way.” Hailed as a gay icon by Attitude magazine, he modestly deflects the compliment by insisting that while it is important that role models exist, any comedian who sought such a title would be insufferable. Relatively happy to be single at the moment and living in his childhood bedroom at his parents’ house while he saves for a home of his own, Allen has nevertheless played some huge rooms with Millican and recently appeared at London’s vast O2 Arena as part of Channel 4’s Comedy Gala for Great Ormond Street. “I still get nerves and I sometimes wonder if it’s about class or sexuality,” he admits. “But nerves are the flip-side of excitement – you try to use those feelings to present a more truthful version of yourself on stage. “As David Sedaris said, you should make a list of the things that make you feel ashamed or embarrassed and write about those. Exposing your vulnerabilities makes for better art.” Growing as comfortable in his own skin as he is with a sharply cut suit and silk handkerchief, Allen has come to appreciate that “your quirks and the things that make you different, that’s not just you – everyone has a little bit of the outsider in them. Comedy has just allowed me to be bold with those things, rather than hiding them under a bushel.” His rich, velvety tones and delight in Victoriana were put to good use as Pip in Radio 4’s long-running Charles Dickens pastiche Bleak Expectations. And, more recently, he has hosted the chattily scatty podcast Like Minded Friends with lesbian comic Suzi Ruffell, named after the most fitting gay euphemism they could think of. They embark upon their first UK tour post-Edinburgh, and Allen can’t wait. “Being busy is a great way to avoid the creeping self-doubt and ego,” he laughs. “If you don’t have time to acknowledge your insecurities, you tend to get a lot more done.”

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WHERE & WHEN Tom Allen: Indeed Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 August (not 15), 8.15pm, from £11 Tel: 0131 556 6550

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MAGIC FESTIVAL FAVOURITES PETE FIRMAN WORDS KATE COPSTICK

So this is your tenth consecutive Edinburgh? Yes. When I first started in 2007 there was just me and Jerry Sadowitz doing comedy and magic. Now there’s so much it could get its own section in the Fringe programme.

Your shows are generally very well received – but have you ever had an Edinburgh disaster? In my first year I was in the middle of

putting a mouse in a blender when a woman stormed the stage and got very angry. I said: “Why are you getting upset? They only cost £3 each.” Unfortunately, that was like putting petrol on a fire. WHERE & WHEN Pete Firman: TriX Pleasance Courtyard, 3–28 August, 8pm, from £8.50 Tel: 0131 556 6550

PHOTOGRAPHY STEVE ULLATHORNE (PETE FIRMAN), PHOTO FARM (LUCY PORTER)

Has your act changed much over the last decade? I’ve got a formula and I’ve stuck with it

and it has worked very well for me. It’s 60 minutes of the best stuff I’ve come up with over the year. I work very hard on it. This year I’ll also be doing some of my favourite routines from over the past decade.

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30/06/2016 16:06

COMEDY FESTIVAL FAVOURITES LUCY PORTER WORDS KATE COPSTICK

So, second on Celebrity Weakest Link and an appearance on QI – are you a closet intellectual? I also won Celebrity Mastermind, not that I like to talk about it, and I’m frankly horrified that you brought it up (although could you mention that I got the highest score of all time?). Still, we comedians are obviously not proper intellectuals because not all of us have beards. Do you think it’s a healthy thing for a comic to marry another comic? My husband and I entered into our marriage purely as a scientific experiment. He’s 6 foot 5 and I’m 4 foot 11, so we’re

already messing with evolution. We are seeking to create a race of humorous overlords who will sweep all before them with their ability to pun at will or improvise a comic song. The blurb for this year’s show promises personal revelations and Gary Wilmot. Are the two directly linked? Sadly, I’ve never met Gary Wilmot, but I think he’s an amazing talent. The thrust of my argument is that I wish he was still on TV. Many of the greats of Light Entertainment have been overlooked for the status of National Treasure and I think he truly deserves it. Although some

of the TV and radio stars of the past were morally dodgy, in my experience 99.9 per cent of them were just incredibly gifted and lovely. And home brewing? Yeah, my husband is a keen home brewer and I’ve picked up the bug. It’s great to be in Edinburgh, where the entire city often smells like my house. WHERE & WHEN Lucy Porter: Consequences Pleasance Courtyard, 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 5.30pm, from £7 Tel: 0131 556 6550

ALL THE

BEST

Back this year with dazzling new shows, five Fringe stalwarts tell us how they keep the ideas coming

www.edfestmag.com

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CIRCUS FESTIVAL FAVOURITES

DRIFTWOOD WORDS KELLY APTER

Driftwood is about our need for human contact – how did you first conceive of the idea for the show? The starting point, as suggested by the title, was a piece of driftwood. A twig or a branch can flow down a stream, be snagged on overhanging branches, collect in bundles on the bank of a river, or become separated and drift alone. Using these journeys, we explored how this could be translated acrobatically. How do you strike a balance between impressive tricks and making a more meaningful connection with the audience? By being yourself and being generous. Humanity and sincerity are hallmarks of what we as Casus do in our shows. We want to demonstrate what the human body can do, but also show that behind that trick is an everyday person. We invite the audience to share our joy, pain or triumph when we nail a trick.

PHOTOGRAPHY HAMISH MCCORMICK

The contemporary circus scene grows year by year, with some of the strongest companies coming from Australia. Why do you think your homeland is producing so much talent? I am particularly proud of our home-grown circus talent. I think we have a strong work ethic. When we’re in the space, we’re not there to mess around; there is a job to be done. And we’re unapologetic about our work, which means when we make something it’s not to please the majority, it’s to make art – quality, thoughtprovoking, innovative art.

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What is the single most important attribute of any circus performer? Respect. There are 23 hours outside of the one hour you perform with your co-performers and crew on a show. A company like Casus tours a lot, so the team need to get along, otherwise it can cause division. For example, I’m Samoan and I’m like the papa of the group, so I always have food on me to share, because warm bellies makes for happy acrobats and happy front-of-house. WHERE & WHEN Driftwood Assembly George Square Gardens, 4–28 August (not 10, 15 and 22), 3.30pm, from £13 Tel: 0131 623 3030 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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COMEDY FESTIVAL FAVOURITES

KATHERINE RYAN WORDS KATE COPSTICK

You seem to have cracked TV panel shows. What’s your secret? Rihanna shot her first music video not far from my school in Canada. Around that time, I read an interview she’d given about how she was nervous about being an unknown in the music industry, and Beyoncé had advised her: “Wherever you are, act like you belong there, and you will.” Do you think working at Hooters has given you a particular aptitude for dealing with bad behaviour? I have to say it was bad girls I encountered at Hooters, not bad boys! We were children running the whole restaurant while our managers hid from us upstairs. What I learned in that matriarchy is actually how to keep the respect of other women.

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I was popular because I pulled my weight, helped a lot, and made the girls laugh. As a winner of the Nivea Funny Women Award, do you think women-only award competitions are a good (or even a necessary) thing? I do think gender-specific comedy competitions are a good thing. All competitions are showcases – not necessarily fair rankings of who’s funniest. Every show is a sum of its parts, so a competition show is counterintuitive to me. But it’s a great way to make friends and to celebrate your peers. There are people who say that ‘female comedy’ is its own genre, when a women-only bill proves there are many different viewpoints and voices from the same gender.

How on earth do you manage the Fringe as a performing single mum? By not being cool. I don’t have much of a social life without Violet (who is now seven), but I do book a babysitter for her for the hour that I’m on stage and an extra evening here or there if I decide to go to the Abattoir. Have you any advice for this year’s newbies? Nobody cares more about your success or failure than you do. WHERE & WHEN Katherine Ryan: Work in Progress The Stand Comedy Club, 4–13 August, £12 Tel: 0131 558 7272

www.edfestmag.com

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COMEDY FESTIVAL FAVOURITES

DIANE SPENCER WORDS KATE COPSTICK

Sewing? Sewing? I have always thought of you as a masturbation-andGinger-Girl-Power sort of a comic… Hahaha! Yes, well, much as I have previously enjoyed myself, this is something that fascinates and frustrates me in equal measure – the sewing, I mean, not the masturbation. I’m still very much a Ginger Power person and my approach to my new umbrella topic is no less fierce. I’m still developing as a comedian, working out how I can be the most distilled and potent version of myself onstage, and this is the next step. My work has a lot of autobiographical elements to it, so as I experience new things, my set develops – I won’t say ‘matures’, because I’m getting sillier in my own mind, and I’m not a cheese.

Marriage and instant family… Have you considered your life might be over? Really!?! I consider it to be on an exciting new platform, that’s for damn sure. The solid foundation of having someone who loves me for all my good bits and rough bits (now with four, there’s sometimes a queue for the bathroom) is an exciting time. That kind of security makes me feel more fearless in my work and partially in my life, though I suffer from deep paranoia that something will happen, that I can’t be this lucky. I’m happy I’ve chosen an artistic career, and all the happiness and anxiety can be channelled through that (thank goodness I didn’t choose taxidermy). It seems like only It seems like only yesterday you were a newbie and Chortle’s Best Newcomer. Do you feel different now? Very different. In November, it’s my stand-up birthday. I’m just like the Queen, you see. It’ll be ten years, so I’ll get something in tin. I’ve been performing in different countries, different situations, written four more Edinburgh shows (five if you include the one I wrote for Nancy Dell’Olio). I feel really privileged that I won that award.

PHOTOGRAPHY IDIL SUKAN (KATHERINE RYAN), STEVE ULLATHORNE (DIANE SPENCER)

Do you long for the carefree, rude young girl you once were? I really love the place and time I’m in at the moment. As my work goes on, some people will drift away and say they prefer my earlier work, but some people will absolutely love the new stuff, and hopefully most will just enjoy the ride. And to this year’s new rude young girls, what would you say? Have fun, babes. Where & When Diane Spencer: Seamless Gilded Balloon Teviot, 3–29 August (not 15), 5.45pm, from £9 Tel: 0131 622 6552

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IF YOU’VE A PROBLEM WITH US BEING TRADITIONAL, FAX US.

THAT’S THE GLENGOYNE WAY. glengoyne.com

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CABARET LADY COLIN CAMPBELL

Whoring for Goring

n her first-ever visit to the Fringe, Lady Colin Campbell is taking the same approach she took to I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here: jump first, ask questions later. The Jamaican-born aristocrat – who was raised a boy, married into a prominent Scottish family, wrote a best-selling book about Princess Diana and leapt unexpectedly to fame in the Australian jungle last year – has no experience of performing or writing for the stage. But when it was suggested she perform a solo show at the Gilded Balloon, she decided to do it. “I was reluctant, not least because I didn’t think anybody would find me particularly interesting,” she admits. “But I was talked into it. Everyone saw me on that jungle programme and people apparently warmed to me.” Lady Colin has a scriptwriter, Richard Stirling, a director, Stuart Nicholls, and a publicist, Paul Sullivan, all of whom, she has been assured, are “a dream team”. Her primary goal is to raise funds for Castle Goring, the country house in Sussex built for the poet Percy Bysshe Shelley and his wife Mary Shelley, author of Frankenstein, which she is currently renovating. “I’m whoring for Goring,” she laughs. That is a typical example of her wit – Lady Colin speaks almost exclusively in aphorisms and bon mots, all delivered in her extraordinary upper-class drawl – and audiences at her one-woman show, A Cup of Tea with Lady C, can expect much more of it. It will cover everything about her life, including her mistaken gender, although she’s less interested in the subject: “I personally find the whole thing yawn-filled.” She says her 20s and 30s were “all about men”, her 40s and 50s “all about my children”, and the present day is “all about the castle”. The writers, she adds, “have been quite determined that I cover all aspects of my life”.

The quest for funds to restore Castle Goring has pushed “complete stage virgin” Lady Colin Campbell back into the spotlight. But if she can survive a Bush Tucker trial, a one-woman Fringe show should be no bother…

A U G U S T

That life has not been without its struggles. Her marriage was an unhappy one and the legacy of her childhood was hard to shake off. “I hated my father when I was growing up – hated him with a passion. I loved my mother as a child, but later I realised she had been manipulative. I went into therapy because I had an unbearable burden of pain that I couldn’t carry with me, but I wasn’t prepared to bore my friends with it. I was very lucky to get a wonderful therapist. ‘We were born to be happy,’ he used to say.” She believes her selfconfidence is partly the legacy of a Caribbean childhood. “I have to tell you, Jamaica then was a glorious place to be a child. It is very warm and friendly, and they have a certain kindness that goes with what they call ‘roots people’. They also say there’s no such thing as a weak Jamaican woman. I’m not sure that’s right, but I think it is 98 per cent right.” Lady C was surprised and flattered by the response of the public to her appearance on I’m a Celebrity. “It has been amazing, the outpouring of regard and affection. I didn’t try to charm anybody – I am just myself. I always say to my children, ‘Just be yourself, and be a good and decent person.’ Sometimes it works and people are nice and appreciative, and sometimes it doesn’t. “The psychiatrist on the show told me I was the only person who didn’t care what anybody thought of them, which is why I was the person the public warmed to more than anybody else.” So it is with this spirit that she goes to Edinburgh “a complete virgin”. “One of the secrets of leading a reasonably happy life is if you have to do something, just do it and try to find some enjoyment in it.”

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WHERE & WHEN A Cup of Tea With Lady C Gilded Balloon Teviot, 5–28 August (not 16), 3pm, from £12 Tel: 0131 226 0000

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WORDS CLAIRE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID CHAMBERS

www.edfestmag.com

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DARREN WALSH

DAVE’S FUNNIEST JOKE OF THE FRINGE

How did winning your award affect you? Well, getting that amount of publicity for one joke is weird, then repeating it millions of times into a camera is even weirder. It made me want to write new jokes. What have you done since? I made a short for BBC’s iWonder, I ended up as ambassador for SeaFood Week’s #FishPunDay (stop me if I’m carping

on). I created ‘The London Punderground’ for TimeOut and The Metro, I appeared on 12 BBC Radio stations for #UKPunday and I’m working on a 2nd book. Tell us about your new show. It's called “S’pun” because I invite the audience to ‘spin’ a wheel and win prizes. It’s basically the same as last year’s show. If you like random nonsense with no narrative then you should come.

Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. Well, without googling the answer I would say The Turret at the top of the Gilded Balloon is the highest point, and the Caves on Cowgate the lowest. Festival survival tips As an act, I would say be in bed by midnight. As a punter I would say have no expectations, just try to see as much as possible. WHERE & WHEN Darren Walsh: S’Pun Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 (not 15) August, 8.30pm, from £8.50 Tel: 0131 556 6550

JESS ROBINSON

AMUSED MOOSE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION AWARD How did winning your award affect you? It was AWESOME. It came at the end of a gruelling Fringe marathon but it made all the hard work worth it! What have you done since? I’ve been pretty busy taking my show to London, reviewing the morning papers on BBC Radio London, voicing the new Dreamwork’s animated series of Noddy, performing with Rory Bremner on a live show and working with Alistair McGowan on a TV pilot. Oh, and I got divorced! Tell us about your new show. I am MASSIVELY excited about my new show. It’s the most ambitious thing I’ve

ever done. There are over 100 impressions, 99 of which are packed into my rap – ‘I got 99 voices but a bloke ain’t one’. And the Wheels Of Sixty-Four Tunes are back to generate the most unlikely singer/song combinations. Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. Last year’s high point was singing live on The One Show. The low point was walking to the other side of town one night in the pouring rain, with

no umbrella and wearing only a summer dress and flip flops. I swear my feet still have a slightly blue tinge. Festival survival tips. Well – if you insist on wearing flip flops and a sundress, carry an umbrella, and sunblock, and a raincoat, and a sun hat… and wellies. WHERE & WHEN Jess Robinson: Impressive Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 (not 15, 22) August, 8.30pm, from £10.50 Tel: 0131 556 6550

SPENCER JONES

THE BARRY AWARD FOR BEST SHOW

How did winning your award affect you? Getting the award that was voted by people I work with, watch on stage and who inspire me, made me feel like they let me have a seat at their table, just in time for pudding. I like pudding.

at the same time exactly the same! Theres going to be much more live music in this one, if I can get the knack of this Xylophone. But there will also be a load of props, household objects with attitude problems, weird kids, and massive eyes.

What have you done since? A lot of driving to gigs, some writing and filmmaking for Sky, and I am developing a show for the BBC. It's really weird and there's a good chance people will watch it and their brains will fry.

Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. The high point is seeing the new comedians, clowns, sketch and double acts doing stuff. The low point for me is flyering. You don't want to do it but you have to. The punters don't want to take them but they have to. Everybody is a loser except the printers. They love it.

Tell us about your new show. In a nutshell it's going to be a fair bit different from the last one but 54

Festival survival tips. If you're a punter: drink beer, smoke fags, eat food, watch loads of stuff that you've never heard of. Get a rain mac and don't heckle. There's a good chance you're not the legend you think you are. WHERE & WHEN Spencer Jones is The Herbert in Proper Job Underbelly Cowgate, 4-28 (not 15) August, 5.20pm, from £11 Tel: 0844 545 8252 Spencer Jones Presents The Herbert in Eggy Bagel Heroes @ The Hive, 4-28 (not 15) August, 8.50pm, from £6 Tel: 0131 226 0000

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COMEDY AWARD WINNERS GEORGE EGG

Festival survival tips Bring a bike, it makes getting around so much easier, and try not to eat too many macaroni cheese pies.

SPIRIT OF THE FRINGE AWARD How did winning your award affect you? It was extremely nice to have my work acknowledged, and by an award that I have a lot of respect for. And I suppose it gave me greater faith in the show, which in turn spurred me on to get it into other places after the run in Edinburgh. What have you done since? Since Edinburgh last year I’ve been touring the show all over the UK to more sell out crowds. Off the back of the Fringe, I’ve been invited to perform it overseas too. I’m still touring it now. Tell us about the show. The success of ‘Anarchist Cook’ was so overwhelming, I’m bringing it back this

WHERE & WHEN George Egg: Anarchist Cook Gilded Balloon Teviot, 22-24 August, times vary, from £10 Tel: 0131 622 6552 year. It’s evolved a bit, so return audiences will see a few changes. Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. One high point certainly was having food critic Jay Rayner come to see the show and tweeting afterwards that it was ‘brilliant’. And the low point - packing up after that last show and thinking ‘oh no, that’s it’.

GOLDEN STARS After stealing our hearts last Fringe, these acts promise to win them back this year WORDS LIDIA MOLINA WHYTE

LAURENCE OWEN

THE MALCOLM HARDEE ACT MOST LIKELY TO MAKE A MILLION QUID

How did winning your award affect you? Well, I was very flattered! It beats "most likely to get pregnant at 17" or whatever. What have you done since? I've been composing medieval court music for Heston Blumenthal and historian Kate Williams. I'm currently scoring a yet-to-beannounced animation and live music show with 1927. Tell us about your new show. Cinemusical High is a new one-man comedy musical, following a ragtag group of teenage stereotypes battling their personal demons in a classic Breakfast Club-style high school setting. Once again I have no props, no set and no costume - it's all done with just ridiculous capering, a guitar, and my original soundtrack. Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. My flatmates and I decided to climb Arthur's Seat in time for sunrise. I had food poisoning and kept being sick and I thought I was www.edfestmag.com

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going to die. Then we got on a Megabus. That was a low point. But last year I had full houses every day and a thoroughly lovely time. Festival survival tips Don't get the Megabus. WHERE & WHEN Laurence Owen: Cinemusical Voodoo Rooms, 8, 15, 22 August, 9pm, free Tel: 0131 226 0000 Laurence Owen: Cinemusical High Voodoo Rooms, 6-28 August, 1.45pm, free Tel: 0131 226 0000

PENNY ARCADE

HERALD ANGEL AWARD

How did winning your award affect you? Winning gave me the wonderful feeling of being a part of an artistic community, a home away from home. What have you done since? Longing Lasts Longer went on from Edinburgh to have a very successful season at the Soho Theatre in London, and a tour of Australia. Tell us about the show. I am returning with Longing Lasts Longer. Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. Having a sold out last show was a definite high point. Low point? Trying to sleep with drunk punters arguing under your window. Festival survival tips Find a pub and make it your local, you'll get a warm welcome every time you come in. WHERE & WHEN Penny Arcade: Longing Lasts Longer Assembly Checkpoint, 3-14 August, 6.55pm, from £12 Tel: 0131 623 3030 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 16:48

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30/06/2016 13:29

COMEDY AWARD WINNERS SAM SIMMONS

FOSTER’S EDINBURGH COMEDY AWARD How did winning your award affect you? I’m aware I’m not exactly what you’d label a “conventional” comedian but the award has, if anything, given me a “license to dick head”. I feel I have the freedom to be who I am: an unabashed idiot.

SOFIE HAGEN

EDINBURGH NEWCOMER AWARD

How did winning your award affect you? I felt like someone had given me an opportunity to do well in comedy and now I'm just really careful to not fuck that up. What have you done since? I got to do my show ‘Bubblewrap’ in Denmark. That was terrifying. Tell us about your new show. It's called ‘Shimmer Shatter’ and it's my favourite thing in the whole world. I want to say it out loud forever. I love doing it and I think that the people who'll love it, will love it a lot.

Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. I fractured my tailbone a few weeks before the Fringe. That was a low point. I felt immobile. The high-point was being nominated alongside some of my best friends. Festival survival tips. Watch other people's shows. Go support them and enjoy it. WHERE & WHEN Sofie Hagen: Shimmer Shatter Liquid Room Annexe, 6-28 August, 7.50pm, free Tel: 0131 225 2564

POLICE COPS

BRIGHTON FRINGE AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE

How did winning your award affect you? It gave us belief that the show was good, the sudden feeling that all the hard work we had put in was worth it. It was amazing. What have you done since? We've been so busy touring the show round the world. It's been so much fun! Tell us about the show. We're bringing Police Cops back. It's an American action film

performed live on stage by three idiots. Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. High point was getting a standing ovation then an award in one night. Low point, when people only want to talk about shows. Constantly. Festival survival tips. Don't eat seafood curry just before a show. WHERE & WHEN Police Cops Pleasance Dome, 3-28 August (not 15, 24), 9.45pm, from £11 Tel: 0131 556 6550

What have you done since? LOTS of meetings, some bad television and I’ve written a new live hour which I’m really excited about. I’ve returned to some older ideas from the depths of my laptop that I never thought I could really “sell". Tell us about your new show. It’s a pretty little story, in part about me hiring a sniper to assassinate me at my happiest moment. Sounds really dark but its actually just kinda ridiculous.

giant seagulls of Edinburgh cry outside your window, thinking about how unfunny you are. Festival survival tips. When I first came to the Fringe, I would party like maniac. Now I’m older, I go to the fish monger in the morning to prepare my post-show dinner. I guess the rookies’ mistake is staying out all night having shouty conversations over loud music. Voice killer. WHERE & WHEN Sam Simmons: Not a People Person Underbelly Potterrow, 3-28 (not 15) August, 8.15pm, from £13 Tel: 0844 545 8252

Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. The high point is that feeling when your show is truly alive! And you think “this is the best, this is what its all about”. The low point is the reality of what we do and waking up at four in the morning after a terrible show, laying in the dark as the sun comes up, listening to the murderously hideous monster

RICHARD GADD

AMUSED MOOSE COMEDY AWARD

How did winning your award affect you? It was a moment I never thought I would top. Some would say I still haven’t. Namely my old coach Doris. But that’s her opinion. What have you done since? Television projects, writing and acting work thanks to the show.

Festival survival tips “It’ll be over eventually, it’ll be over eventually, it’ll be over eventually...” WHERE & WHEN Richard Gadd: Monkey See Monkey Do Banshee Labyrinth, 6-28 August, 9.45pm, free Tel: 0131 558 8209

Tell us about your new show. The less you know about it, the better. I will say it has an extractor fan, a guy called Bert Baxter, and a watermelon. Fringe high-point and Fringe low-point. High point had to be the buzz of last year’s show. The low-point was the production company dropping me right after the festival.

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MUSIC CAMILLE O'SULLIVAN

Returning to her big top roots, Camille O’Sullivan is set to explore a rollercoaster of emotions and – hopefully – create a bit of madness WORDS FIONA SHEPHERD PHOTOGRAPHY KIP CARROLL

ROLL UP! ROLL UP!

n a former life, Camille O’Sullivan was an architect, so designing, creating and building is in her blood. It’s just that now, as an acclaimed singer and performer, she creates and builds characters based on other musicians’ words, inhabiting the lyrics with a quiet intensity, or a wild abandon, or a coquettish wit, before moving on to the next song. “I like a rollercoaster of different emotions which allows me to become different characters,” she says. “Some people feel they don’t know which person I am and they say my performance is more bonkers than they thought it was going to be. I like the whole notion of a performer showing that there’s a slight crack in them, that something is going to unravel.” For the record, O’Sullivan in conversation is friendly, down-to-earth and garrulous, far from the vocal dervish on stage who can be so mercurial that even her band are not sure of her next move. “Live performance is the one place you can actually take people by surprise – you give them a nice enigmatic poster, then you bring them in and you create a bit of madness,” she says with relish. O’Sullivan first came to the attention of Fringe audiences as a star turn in La Clique, the immersive cabaret and variety show that took the festival by storm from its very first outing, and sealed our love of those exotic canvas palaces known as Spiegeltents. “When I first came in 2004, the comedians were the new rock stars and people weren’t really doing those types of theatrical shows, and then two or three years later people started bringing in more cabaret shows on the back of La Clique.” O’Sullivan doesn’t necessarily think of herself as a cabaret artist, but agrees, “the Edinburgh Festival is helping people get into that world.” Over the past decade, O’Sullivan has taken her ever-mutating show into more conventional

concert environments, including the Fringe’s more ornate rooms and all the way to the International Festival, where she performed Shakespeare’s The Rape Of Lucrece in 2012. But she is still a lover of a Spiegeltent and returns to her big top roots this year, performing as part of the Underbelly’s Circus Hub programme. Roll up, roll up… “What I love about the tents is you can treat everything like the stage because it’s in the round,” she says. “I don’t particularly like to be boxed in. I’ve been saying ‘can we get a swing in there, maybe I can go into the middle of the room?’ So I’ll be up to no good, hopefully!” O’Sullivan is still developing her new show, The Carny Dream, but there is already talk of fairytales, animal masks, wooden playhouses, the music of Nick Cave and Jacques Brel with which she is most associated, newer artists such as Arcade Fire, PJ Harvey and Edinburgh’s Beta Band – and the late, great David Bowie. “I’m a bit lost sometimes in things I do and shows are a way of guiding me,” says O’Sullivan. “I choose songs because they mean something to me where I’m at in my life, and someone who really inspired me to be a singer is gone now. I was absolutely distraught, I thought I was going to marry the man when I was a teenager.” Her other lingering love affair is with the Fringe itself. “It’s the marker for me as a performer. Because it’s full of performers, it’s very inspirational, more for the art and less for the money. I love it and I get scared of it at the same time, which means it’s a good place to return to.” WHERE & WHEN Camille O’Sullivan: The Carny Dream Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows, 4-22 August (not 10, 15), 8.30pm, from £18 Tel: 0844 545 8252

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MUSIC CAMILLE O'SULLIVAN A U G U S T

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ROUND-UP CIRCUS

A SIMPLE SPACE Australia’s fiercest circus ensemble will keep you on the edge of your seat as they perform gravitydefying physical feats. The air-bending septet don’t need fine-tuning; their award winning show relies instead on pushing both physical and psychological boundaries, exploring the limits of the mind as much as those of the body. Underbelly George Square, 4-25 August (not 10, 17, 22), 3.15pm BEDTIME STORIES Physical theatre pioneers Upswing ditch traditional audience seating in favour of cosy beds in this dreamlike performance. Innovation doesn't stop there: the colourful production includes projection mapped animations to complement the bold choreographies, which showcase the latest in acrobalance and aerial skills. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-22 August (not 15), times vary

ELIXIR Three clumsy scientists attempt to create the elixir of life in this fun, high-energy show. They soon demonstrate that alchemy isn't their thing, but they do excel at physics. Things turn into mayhem when the acrobatics begin. The award winning performance is something to behold, achieving the perfect balance -literally- between comedy and head-spinning moves. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-22 August (not 15), 10pm

Hailing from all corners of the world, these bold circus acts are the ones to look out for WORDS LIDIA MOLINA WHYTE

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LIFE IS www.edfestmag.com

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ROUND-UP CIRCUS

A CIRCUS www.edfestmag.com

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ROUND-UP CIRCUS

THE HOGWALLOPS The Festival's favourite family of misfits is back, this time with a show inspired by Roald Dhal’s The Twist. Expect their signature blend of physical comedy and theatrical storytelling, interspersed with a healthy doze of slapstick. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-22 August (not 10, 15), 3.30pm IMBALANCE Up-and-coming team Joli Vyann are not concerned about physical balance. There is no doubt when it comes to their skill as they combine acrobatic grace and athletic dance with mesmerising ease. Instead, their show is concerned with society’s obsession with technology, asking: does technology throw our lives out of balance? Challenging in all the right ways. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-22 August (not 10, 15), 7.30pm PERHAPS THERE IS HOPE YET The masterminds behind Circa and Circus of Oz explore the stark reality of climate change through compelling acrobatics. Adding a touch of humour to break through the tension, it's both a thoughtful and thought-provoking performance. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-22 August (not 15), 5.30pm THE RAUNCH Saddle up for this high-flying circus extravaganza. Legendary cabaret performer Empress Stah leads a bright ensemble made up of the most wanted cabaret and circus stars. Expect femme fatal burlesque queens, obscene amounts of twerking and plenty of pizzazz, all wrapped up in an awesome soundtrack. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-22 August (not 15), 6.30pm SLIVER LININGS & JACKSONS LANE: THROWBACK This ode to nostalgia comes from the strong hands of Britain’s raising circus talents. The troupe breeze through their fast-paced aerial and acrobatic work, almost making it look easy, and definitely having fun. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-22 August (not 15) 4.30pm

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Clockwise from top: Bedtime Stories, Perhaps There Is Hope Yet, Imbalance, Silver Linings Throwback, The Raunch and Elixer SMOTHER The relationship of two young men is at the heart of this dystopian fairy tale, returning to the Fringe after a hugely sucessful 2015 run. Their story is told through a powerful blend of hip hop and acrobatics, touching on themes of addiction, obsession and commitment. ZOO Southside, 5-27 August, 3.20pm TRASH TEST DUMMIES Fearless acrobats and slapstick experts, the Trash Test Dummies are back after touring their sell-out show all over the world. With more than a few new tricks up their sleeves (and in their iconic wheelie bins), the performance is so delightful, the adults will laugh just as hard as the kids. Underbelly’s Circus Hub, 4-21 August (not 10, 15), times vary

www.edfestmag.com

30/06/2016 16:31

ADVERT 96 X 272_Layout 1 28/06/2016 15:25 Page 1

Roof Top Garden Picnics

VENUE 26

FESTIVAL PROGRAMME 2016

FROM ÂŁ50 FOR TWO GUESTS

" If you were to stick a pin in the Summerhall programme you would be almost certain to come up with a show that would surprise and delight in equal measure." Lyn Gardner The Guardian

An experience like no other, enjoy a delicious picnic in the heart of Edinburgh. Escape the hustle and bustle, relax and take in the breath-taking views of Calton Hill. Upon arrival, guests will be presented with a quaint picnic rug and basket filled with fresh Scottish produce accompanied with the choice of non-alcoholic or alcoholic bottle of fizz. Whether you are looking for a romantic afternoon, an afternoon with friends, celebrating a special occasion or looking for the perfect gift idea, our rooftop picnic covers all bases! Bookings are essential as spaces are limited, please call 0131 525 8200.

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Photographer - Linnea Rundgren, Radiolaria

30/06/2016 13:32

COMEDY ONES TO WATCH

KIRI PRITCHARD-MCLEAN Who is she? The writer-director of acclaimed sketch group Gein’s Family Giftshop, Pritchard-McLean is an accomplished stand-up with a cutting wit. What’s the show about? A long, hard look at the hoary “are women funny?” debate. Long, because it’s about an hour, and hard because occasionally she messes up a joke, inadvertently proving the stereotype right.

WTF? A farmer’s daughter, Pritchard-McLean knew what a prolapse was aged eight and how to fix it with bailing twine. She also saw someone shot in the eye. At pony club. WHERE & WHEN Kiri Pritchard-McLean: Hysterical Woman Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 August (not 15), 6pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

EVER MAINARD

BILAL ZAFAR

Who is she? A Los Angeles-based stand-up with a wry, confessional style, Mainard studied improv at the famed Second City school and is an accomplished social observer. What’s the show about? Exploring gender identity, contemporary feminism and bad luck, expect tales of growing up in small town Texas, coming-of-age in Chicago and heartache in LA. WTF? No-one in her family knows why she’s called Ever. And her grandmother had a calf they raised as a dog. WHERE & WHEN Ever Mainard: Let Me Be Your Main Man Gilded Balloon Teviot, 4-28 August (not 15), 6.15pm, from £6.50 0131 622 6552

Who is he? A wry storyteller, Zafar mines comedy gold from his online interactions. What’s the show about? A joke that got out of hand and furious people worldwide who believed he was the owner of a Bristol “Muslim-only cake shop”.

KIERAN BOYD Who is he? The final member of sketch trio Wittank to bring a solo show to Edinburgh. A charismatic performer who specialises in pithy observational routines. What’s the show about? The weird things we say and stupid accents we say them in. And his love of loud heavy metal and even louder Northern Irish family. WTF? Speaks reasonable German but has a tendency to slip into the dialect from the industrial, northwest. Making him sound like a German Scouser. WHERE & WHEN Kieran Boyd: Egg, Gilded Balloon at the Counting House 3-29 August, 4.45pm, from £5 0131 622 6552

WTF? So into scented candles that he makes his own. WHERE & WHEN Cakes, Just the Tonic at The Mash House 4-28 August (not 15), 3.40pm, from £4 0131 226 0000

GLENN MOORE Who is he? Half of sketch duo Thunderbards, Moore is an elegant writer who channels his joke-writing craft into tales of awkwardness. What’s the show about? Partly about growing up in a small village and thinking it provided valuable life experience, and partly about being tremendously wrong about that. Also, car horns. WTF? Ronald Regan is his fourth cousin. And his full name is Glenn Roger Moore. WHERE & WHEN Glenn Moore: Glengarry Glen Glenn Just the Tonic at The Caves, 4-28 August (not 15), 6pm, from £5 0330 220 1212

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COMEDY ONES TO WATCH

CHRIS GETHARD Who is he? A writer, actor and improviser with a great podcast in which he discusses all aspects of the human condition with the public, the American’s credits include the US version of The Office. What’s the show about? An hour of storytelling dealing honestly with

ELLIOT STEEL depression, suicide and alcoholism. While aiming to be as funny as possible. WTF? Played a gong in high school as a way to meet girls. And it worked. WHERE & WHEN Chris Gethard: Career Suicide Pleasance Dome, 3-29 August (not 15), 10pm, from £7 0131 556 6550

MICHELLE WOLF Who is she? One of the newest correspondents on The Daily Show, the New York-based comic has a winning combination of apparent ditziness and cynicism. What’s the show about? Reflections on the word “brave”, how it used to be hard-earned but is now “flung around like a Frisbee”. An hour of how Wolf sees the world. WTF? Runs every day, hates magic and has only seen the second Godfather film in the trilogy. WHERE & WHEN Michelle Wolf: So Brave Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 August (not 15), 9.30pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

Who is he? Assured beyond his years, Steel blends observation and tall tales with a nervy energy, painting a dubious portrait of the youth of today and hanging around Croydon. What’s the show about? As a young comic, Steel feels part of a generation that takes offence at everything. Could they be right or is he just stupid? Especially when most of his knowledge comes from Netflix documentaries. WTF? Has a cat named after his hero, David Beckham WHERE & WHEN Elliot Steel: Netflix ‘n’ Steel Gilded Balloon at the Counting House, 3-28 August, 6.15pm, from £6 0131 622 6552

STANDING START

Jay Richardson takes the pain out of brochure browsing with his top picks of the comedians to see in Edinburgh this year and why

JAMES MEEHAN

DANIEL NILS ROBERTS

Who is he? A member of the brutally dark sketch outfit Gein’s Family Giftshop, the deadpan Meehan generates plenty of laughs from his working-class insecurity. What’s the show about? Childhood, classism, racism, films and fetishes. WTF? He was in a punk band called Slow Motion Apartment Hunting. They wrote three albums but never played live. WHERE & WHEN James Meehan – Class Act Just the Tonic at The Tron, 4-28 August (not 15), 6.20pm from £5 0330 220 1212

Who is he? Part of improv troupe Racing Minds and a new addition to the hugely successful Austentatious, Roberts also performs solo with a blend of energetic characters and shattering of the fourth wall, packing his sketches with demented gags. What’s the show about? A breakneck showcase of his creations, with digressions and PowerPoint meltdowns. All performed with a wild-eyed intensity, and flecked with absurd gags, doctored photos, unrequited love and yoghurt. WTF? He can speak near-fluent Norwegian, which he’s saving for his follow-up show. And he’s a documentary filmmaker who’s interviewed Cherie Blair and Kris Kristofferson. WHERE & WHEN Daniel Nils Roberts: Honey Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 August (not 15), 4.45pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

www.edfestmag.com

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COMEDY ONES TO WATCH

JAMALI MADDIX

ARCHIE MADDOCKS

Who is he? An unapologetically misanthropic act, Maddix has a forthright delivery for tales of everyday racism. What’s the show about? Choices, taking an introspective view on life, with regards to race, sex, politics and eggs. WTF? He’s dyslexic. And 50/50 about the existence of aliens. WHERE & WHEN Jamali Maddix: Chickens Come Home To Roost Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 August (not 15), 8.15pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

Who is he? Smooth but animated, Maddocks draws upon his Trinidadian roots for cheerful, self-deprecating material. What’s the show about? Being mixed race, Maddocks always felt the pressure to pick a team. In this hour, he explores the crashing together of two separate worlds and where he fits in within them.

ANDY STOREY Who is he? A dry northerner making his way in London, the polished Storey packs in the punchlines and chats to a crowd with an easy amiability. What’s the show about? Rooting around the rubbish he was taught as a child and the impossible nature of intimacy, WTF? A desire to control every aspect of his life has led him to hairspray his own beard. WHERE & WHEN @funnystorey Gilded Balloon at the Counting House, 3-29 August (not 17), 7pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

WTF? At four, he genuinely believed he was Batman, walking around in his mask and cape and only responding to parents and teachers if they referred to him as the superhero. WHERE & WHEN Archie Maddocks: Shirts Vs Skins Laughing Horse @ Espionage, 4-28 August (not 15), 9.15pm, free 0131 477 7007

BRENNAN REECE

MASUD MILAS

Who is he? A BBC New Comedy Award finalist, Reece is a deceptively lively act, packing a dense number of gags into an hour with a neat turn of phrase. What’s the show about? Partly a love letter to his Mum and Dad, partly childish wonder. And the rest jokes about his “widge”. WTF? He grew up in the circus and can fit his mouth around a pint glass. WHERE & WHEN Brennan Reece: Everglow Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 August, 6pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

Who is he? Educated at an international school, Milas’ hardto-place accent is just one element that makes him distinctive. Blending social observation with personal storytelling, he gets good mileage out of his resemblance to a 1970s New York detective. What’s the show about? Exploring his upbringing in Hong Kong with his fierce Kenyan mother, and polite English father. Now in London, Masud tries to figure out how he got here and the efforts to which he’ll go to fit in. WTF? Appeared in last year’s Pan movie as a pirate. And accidentally stepped on the kid who played Peter. WHERE & WHEN Masud Milas: Routes Underbelly Med Quad, 3-28 August, 6.50pm, from £6 0844 545 8252

SAMANTHA BAINES Who is she? An actor, sketch performer and DJ, Baines has appeared in other comics’ shows but only began performing stand-up last year. What’s the show about? Learning about space to impress Prof Brian Cox. Baines has even had a selfie with an astronaut. WTF? As well as appearing in the film A Royal Night Out and TV series The Crown, Baines used to work for the Royal Family as an airport’s VIP Suite Co-Ordinator. She maintains that Harry, Wills and Kate are “all lovely”. WHERE & WHEN 1 Woman, a Dwarf Planet and 2 Cox Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 August (not 6), 3.30pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

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TOM WARD Who is he? Ward ranges across disciplines, including audience participation, impressions, tensionbuilding routines and inexplicable eccentricity. What’s the show about? A boy escapes a Christian dad who’d cancelled Christmas and a mum forever doing aerobics to Cliff Richard, before finding himself on the gay scene with a new family and discovering an unexpected talent for running charity shops. WTF? Got suspended for two weeks for selling herbal cigarettes to his classmates at cost price to help them quit. WHERE & WHEN Tom Ward: Sex, Snails and Cassette Tapes Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 August (not 15), 9.45pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

30/06/2016 16:25

COMEDY ONES TO WATCH

JENNY COLLIER

WILL DUGGAN Who is he? Another member of the Funz and Gamez phenomenon, Duggan marries self-mocking digs with nostalgia. Sardonic, he’s an easy listen capable of throwing in the odd non-sequitur. What’s the show about? Duggan's salvo of opinions on topics including belonging, lies and the arrogance of horses. WTF? Played alto clarinet in the Northamptonshire

ANDREW HUNTER MURRAY Who is he? A Private Eye writer, Murray is also part of QI’s team of dedicated researchers, the 'Elves', who’ve landed their own BBC Two spin-off show No Such Thing As The News. Also part of the hit improv troupe Austentatious, he can also lay claim to being a character comic of some ability, which is a pretty impressive résumé.

county wind band (20032005) winning gold at the national wind ensemble awards. WHERE & WHEN Will Duggan: A Man Gathering Fish Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 August (not 15), 6.45pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

What’s the show about? Character comedy with dancing and the perilous possibility of singing. WTF? Has professionally dressed as George from the Famous Five. WHERE & WHEN Andrew Hunter Murray: Round One Pleasance Courtyard, 3-29 August (not 16), 4.15pm, from £6 0131 556 6550

NAZEEM HUSSAIN Who is he? Hussain was part of the award-winning Australian duo Fear of a Brown Planet and specialises in incisive reflections on Islam. What’s the show about? An hour of jokes about a fun, up-for-anything (if Islamically permissible) guy from Australia, with material about politics, race and finding love, despite terrible teeth. WTF? Once tweeted that the Australian Prime Minister is a “piece of shit”. Then received an invitation to his house for a Ramadan dinner. WHERE & WHEN Nazeem Hussain – Legally Brown, Assembly George Square Studios, 3-28 August (not 16), 8pm, from £7 0131 623 3030

Who is she? A former winner of the Laughing Horse’s New Act, Collier has since flourished as a writer of entertainingly geeky material. What’s the show about? A frolic through the lols and loneliness of being a Welsh singleton in London, WTF? She once watched seven series of Red Dwarf back-to-back to perfect her Scouse accent so that she could play the lead in a theatrical production of Educating Rita. WHERE & WHEN Jenny Collier: Jen-Hur Underbelly Med Quad, 3-28 August, 5.30pm, from £6 0844 545 8252

PETER WHITE Who is he? A Canadian import, this self-deprecating act has established himself on the UK comedy circuit. What’s the show about? Reflecting on dating an abusive woman and having no recourse to complain, it’s a surprisingly dark, thoughtful debut from this affable comic. WTF? Has a degree in electrical engineering and once built a robot. The worst student council president in his school’s history after running on a platform of “doing and changing absolutely nothing”. WHERE & WHEN Peter White: Straight White Male, Just the Tonic at The Mash House, 4-28 August (not 15), 6.20pm, from £5 0131 226 0000

ROSE MATEFEO Who is she? Long established in her native New Zealand and Australia, Matefeo has an oddball sensibility and compelling sense of daring. What’s the show about? Matefeo will be staging her own funeral as she suspects anyone else would mess it up. She also has a very specific funeral playlist. WTF? Half-Samoan, Matefeo was brought up Rastafarian and told by her father that she’s s distantly related to The Rock, a bit of trivia she’s chosen to believe. WHERE & WHEN Rose Matefeo Is Finally Dead, Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 August (not 17), 5.45pm, from £6 0131 556 6550 68

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30/06/2016 17:45

DANCE CUBAN GYPSY

A new show from renowned jazz musician Damian Draghici brings together the passion, rhythm and heritage of the Roma and Cuban cultures in a melting pot of music and dance that seeks to stamp out prejudice WORDS KELLY APTER

GYPSY SPIRIT

A U G U S T

ou only have to listen to Cher’s 1971 song ‘Gypsies, Tramps and Thieves’ to know that Gypsy culture hasn’t always been held in high regard. But a new show, created by an award-winning musicianturned-politician, is set to demonstrate the rich artistry the Gypsy people have given the world. The Cuban Gypsy is a coming together of two connected worlds, Roma and Cuban, both known for their passion, rhythm and cultural heritage. It’s the brainchild of Damian Draghici, a member of the European Parliament and an internationally renowned jazz musician who has played with the likes of James Brown, Joe Cocker and Cyndi Lauper. For Draghici, The Cuban Gypsy isn’t just about creating an entertaining music-and-dance show – although that’s most certainly one of his aims. It’s about eradicating prejudice. “I believe music unites people and their cultures,” he says. “And after more than 2,000 years of nomadic life, the Gypsies are ready to be presented to the world as the beautiful and talented souls they are. We’ve been seen, heard and read in everything from Picasso to Bizet, from Cher to Britney Spears. “The Edinburgh Fringe is a place where all cultures come together, so our music has its place there. We want audiences to feel and hear thousands of years of passion, struggle, fire and the joy of life.” Created in Havana, the show features music by artists inspired by Gypsy culture – Shakira, Lady Gaga, Santana, Jennifer Lopez and others – all given a new twist courtesy of Draghici’s group of Gypsy and Cuban musicians. The show itself is inspired by the lives, loves and travels of the millions of people with Gypsy heritage, with particular emphasis on the Caribbean. Gypsies first arrived in Cuba during the Second World War, contributing greatly to the creative life of the island. Today, they are part of the country’s rich melting pot of music and dance – with fast-paced tap for men, and flamenco and belly-dancing for women just some of the styles rooted in the Gypsy tradition. All of which makes Australian Aaron Cash – an original member of Tap Dogs and co-creator of worldwide hit Ballet Revolution – the perfect choice. The show’s eponymous heroine, meanwhile, is played by one of Cuba’s finest dancers, Lia Rodriguez, whose own heritage lies in the Gypsy culture. “I’ve always felt the Gitano spirit,” she says, “and as a dancer, I’m lucky enough to travel the world and explore all kinds of cultures. I love the freedom of never being tied down to one place or one style, and this show allows me to do just that – to move from flamenco to contemporary to jazz to rumba. I love the transformation and that Gypsy spirit.”

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WHERE & WHEN The Cuban Gypsy Assembly Roxy, 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 10pm, from £13 Tel: 0131 623 3030 www.edfestmag.com

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EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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30/06/2016 14:52

JAZZ DAYME AROCENA

C U B A N

Performing since she was eight, music has played a major role in singer Daymé Arocena’s life for as long as she can remember

J U L Y

R E V E L A T I O N

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WORDS ROB ADAMS PHOTOGRAPHY CASEY MOORE

sk Daymé Arocena what she might have done with her life if she hadn’t taken up music and she’ll be stumped for an answer. The Cuban singer, who made an international breakthrough with her first solo recording Nueva Era in 2015, has been singing, family legend has it, since before she could talk. She began formal music studies at the age of eight, going on to graduate from the Amadeo Roldan Conservatory. It’s her grandmother, who she says is a better singer than she is, that she credits with giving her the most important singing lessons, however, and for passing on the soulfulness contained in the songs and chants of the Santeria religion, as well as a love for all the traditional Cuban rhythms including rumba and bolero. “The feeling of these songs is still in my music today,” she says, ahead of her Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival appearance on July 16. “Even though I’m a classically-trained musician, I also studied Santeria because, for me, it’s the essential Cuban religion and has a beautiful energy.” Music has been a natural part of life for Arocena from as far back as she can remember. Her parents are not musicians, www.edfestmag.com

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but they were avid listeners, her mother to Cuban folk music and her father to jazz. At the frequent parties in their neighbourhood, everybody, it seemed, played some instrument or other, or found their own way of joining in. Arocena became the principal singer with big band Los Primos at the age of 14. She had already sung semiprofessionally for six years by then, having been talent spotted at a party. It wasn’t long after she joined Los Primos that she began to come to the attention of internationally regarded musicians, including trumpeter Wynton Marsalis, who was amazed by the depth of expression she conveyed. The London-based DJ and radio presenter Gilles Peterson also heard the still-teenage Arocena sing during a trip

“Cuba is known as the key to the Caribbean and many, many peoples have passed through it, so my music has influences and flavours from everywhere”

to Cuba in the late noughties. He made a note to keep in touch with her career and in 2014 he sought her out for his Havana Cultura project, which involved singers recording with DJs from around the world. Arocena featured on three tracks and was invited to London for the album launch, following which Peterson signed her to his Brownwood label. Neuva Era, the first fruit of this deal, made waves well beyond Arocena’s expectations. “I’ve hardly been back in Cuba since the album was released,” she says. “It’s funny because sometimes people say they expect to hear something more Cuban in my music. I’m not sure what they mean because I’m Cuban and my Cubanness feeds on all the influences that have been left by all those who have stayed on the island down the centuries. Cuba is known as the key to the Caribbean and many, many peoples have passed through it, so my music has influences and flavours from everywhere.”

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WHERE & WHEN Daymé Arocena George Square, Spiegeltent, 16 July, 10pm, from £15 Tel: 0131 558 9005 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 15:19

JAZZ CYRILLE AIMEE J U L Y

hen Cyrille Aimée walks on stage at Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival on July 18, she will be headlining her own concert in front of a few hundred people. It’ll be quite a contrast from the French-born, New York-based Aimée’s first appearance at a jazz festival. In 1999, Aimée was just 14 and had never sung in public before, so facing an audience of 3,000 was daunting. “I was absolutely terrified,” Aimée says. “I was invited to sing a couple tunes with a guitar teacher of mine. After the thrill I felt there, I knew I needed more.” Growing up in Samois-sur-Seine it was inevitable that Aimée would come into contact with jazz. Samois-sur-Seine is the home of an annual celebration of one of the great jazz pioneers, and one of the small town’s former residents, the gypsy guitarist Django Reinhardt, and as a child Aimée used to sneak out of her window to go and join the gypsies who were encamped nearby for the Django festival. “There was always music playing in our house,” she says. “My father loves classical music and my mother, who’s

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from the Dominican Republic, would play a lot of salsa. But meeting the gypsies changed my life. I fell in love with their culture, their freedom and especially their music and the way they live it.” One of the gypsies she befriended gave her a guitar, and in exchange for lessons Aimée taught him how to read. His brother, who was also a guitarist, asked her to learn

“Meeting the gypsies changed my life. I fell in love with their culture, their way of life, their freedom and especially their music and the way they live it” a song called Sweet Sue and sing it in front of the whole family. A career was born. Just like her gypsy friends, Aimée went on to live an itinerant life. By the time she was 20, she had lived on four continents and had busked on street corners, gaining experience of how to keep an audience’s attention. Winning a competition at

Montreux Jazz Festival helped her to finance her first album and gave her the confidence to try her luck in America. More competition successes – she was a finalist in the Thelonious Monk Vocal Competition in Washington in 2010, before winning the first Sarah Vaughan Vocal Jazz Competition in 2012 – have helped her career. It’s the advice of vocalist extraordinaire Bobby McFerrin, however, that Aimée credits with winning her a fanbase that includes Stephen Sondheim, who cast her in an Encores Special Presentation at New York’s City Center in November 2013. “I’ve studied music, but I’m not very disciplined about warming my voice up by singing scales and all that. I get bored,” she says. “Bobby McFerrin told me just to sing as much as possible and I still do it all the time - in the shower, at the grocery store ... anywhere.” WHERE & WHEN Cyrille Aimée St Andrew Square Spiegeltent, 18 July, 7.30pm, from £16.50 Tel: 0131 467 5200

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Singing my song

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As a child, singer Cyrille Aimée would sneak out of her bedroom window to join the local gypsy jazz music festival – an experience that still shapes her music today

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WORDS ROB ADAMS

PHOTOGRAPHY COLVILLE W. HESKEY 27 28 29 30 31

EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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30/06/2016 15:18

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Details correct at time of going to press (June 2016).

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30/06/2016 18:01

FESTIVAL GIN, ANYONE?

Join us for a taste of summer with Edinburgh Gin! This festival, our showstopping gins and liqueurs will be headlining three outdoor venues: The Edinburgh Gin Garden (at St Andrew Square) 15th July – 31st Aug Rutland Place Terrace (beside The Edinburgh Gin Distillery) 5th – 31st Aug

#EdGinGarden

East Princes Street Gardens (beside The Scottish Café) 5th Aug – 29th Aug

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@edinburghgin 30/06/2016 14:11

MUSICAL THEATRE EUROBEATS A U G U S T

MAKING YOUR MIND UP

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Grab your scorecards! Rula Lenska is back in Edinburgh with Eurobeat, the show that pays homage to all things Eurovision – right down to the public vote

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WORDS MARK FISHER PHOTOGRAPHY DARREN BELL 9

ula Lenska is looking over the Aegean from the Greek coast as the sun sets on another bakinghot day. Soaking up the view, she looks the very model of a European citizen – not least because this English-born daughter of Polish refugees has arrived at her holiday destination after a continental road trip. “We drove 2,000km from Poland, through Slovakia, Hungary, Serbia and Macedonia into Greece,” she says. It’s an itinerary that sounds like a line from Eurobeat, the hilariously camp homage to

extraordinary happening!” she laughs. This production includes new songs by Craig Christie and Andrew Patterson and,

www.edfestmag.com

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the Vatican. Each night, the Pope’s own singing nuns compete with a Riverdancestyle entry and a song by the Polish minister of culture. “They’re really fantastic numbers, as if it was the real Eurovision Song Contest,” says Lenska. “It happens as the contest would, except they’re in a poorer country and they don’t have the infrastructure to make it glossy and glamorous – hence the comedy.” Lenska’s music credentials go all the way back to Rock Follies, the 1970s TV series in which she, Julie Covington and Charlotte Cornwell tried to make it as an all-female rock band. Since then, she has been in everything from Minder to Coronation Street and is a little taken aback

wowed the Fringe in 2007 and now returns with an allnew production and a new nation: it’s Moldova’s turn to host. Lenska has the starring role as Katya Kokov, a Moldovan TV presenter and former KGB spy, opposite Steps star Lee Latchford-Evans as Nikolae Nikovsky (winner of Moldova’s Got Talent three years running). “She bemoans the fact that the Soviet era is over and she has been demoted to what she sees as a second-class zone,” says Lenska. On its last outing, the show struck a perfect balance between send-up and celebration, making it as stupidly enjoyable as the real thing. The actors had as much fun as the audience, as everyone joined in the nul points frenzy. With each for Estonia, Sweden and so on, the audience got to take sides and – best of all – participate in a public vote. “It’s more than theatre – it’s an

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again as she and LatchfordEvans perform a duet that is “very much in the Russian tradition”. “It’s slightly out of my comfort zone – Rock Follies was 40 years ago!” she says. “I still love singing and I’m a good choir singer, but this involves a bit of solo work with an incredible tempo – it goes like a rocket. But I love a challenge. The more one’s in this business, the more one wants something that’s really going to pull all the stops out – and this show’s going to do it.”

“It’s more than theatre – it’s an extraordinary happening!”

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WHERE & WHEN Eurobeat Pleasance Courtyard, 3–29 August, 9.45pm, from £8.50 Tel: 0131 556 6550 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 16:09

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COMEDY PIFF THE MAGIC DRAGON A U G U S T

So why leave the Vegas glamour and bother to come back to Edinburgh?

Too much happiness is bad for the act. So I thought I’d head back to a rainy, cold land and enjoy a good struggle. Also, you guys have a castle. Dragons love castles.

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You will doubtless spawn thousands of Tufty the Juggling Squirrels and AnnAnn the Tap-dancing Pandas. Any advice?

Did you always want to be a dragon?

Whoa, Magic Dragon. I’m a Magic Dragon. After many years in the wilderness of weddings, bar mitzvahs and corporate entertainment, I began to hope of another way. Becoming a Magic Dragon was my escape. It’s very Zen.

Fresh from wowing the judges on America’s Got Talent and taking Las Vegas by storm, Piff the Magic Dragon is all ready to enchant Edinburgh WORDS KATE COPSTICK

Focus on what is truly important in show business… the catering. And to those out there wondering if they could cover my material – back off. I already have my own tribute act. Google ‘Andrey the Epic Fail Dragon’ and enjoy two minutes of the most magnificent misappropriation.

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Who would you like to see follow in your claw prints out of Edinburgh to Vegas? Is Mr Twonkey next?

No, but the first time I walked out on stage in my new skin, I realised I was onto something. Not that many people shared my opinion – in fact, it took a long time for reality to catch up with my belief.

Las Vegas is surprisingly like the Edinburgh Fringe in many ways, only with far more explicit flyers. So if a grumpy English dragon and his Scottish rescue chihuahua can headline a show at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino (tickets from www.PifftheMagicDragon.com), why can’t Twonkey be the next Cirque du Soleil?

Did you fling yourself at America’s Got Talent, or were you asked along?

Finally, I assume Game of Thrones have been in touch…

It was a mutual fling, for which I am very grateful. Along with rescuing Mr Piffles, a bedraggled chihuahua from Dundee, it turned out to be one of the better decisions I’ve made.

They have. It’s a bit of a sore point. I can’t go into details, but let’s just say that Mr Piffles will be very busy in Wales this autumn and I’m looking for a new co-star.

Did you always believe a bloke in a dragon suit doing magic tricks would be world famous?

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Could you make Daenerys happy? Was the audition a Susan Boyle moment?

Of course. Total MILF.

In some ways. America fell in love with magic dragons almost overnight and life changed dramatically. On the other hand, Oprah didn’t call and I have yet to write anything as funny as #susanalbumparty.

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So, about your overnight success?

This will be my seventh show in eight years. I’ve done shows in bars, caves (the natural habitat and birthplace of magic dragons), firetraps, attics and everywhere in between. This year we’re in a 500-seat theatre, the Assembly George Square. Fancy.

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It took a while for the world’s media to notice you. Do you ever feel like telling them to get lost now?

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The need for vengeance is far outweighed by my innate lust for gold.

And Vegas... How is that, dragon-wise?

I love it; it’s surrounded by caves! You can live at Excalibur! Basically, it’s paradise for magic dragons. I’ve become buddies with Penn & Teller, sung on stage with Shania Twain, and, yes, I even have my very own showgirl. Although personally I think she’s in it for the dog. www.edfestmag.com

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Where & When The Piff The Magic Dragon Show Assembly George Square Theatre, 3–13 August, 8.30pm, from £10 Tel: 0131 623 3030 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 15:21

SHUTTLE BUS FROM EDINBURGH Glenkinchie distillery will be running daily minibus services from Edinburgh city centre to the distillery. TRANSPORT AND TOUR FROM £20

Glenkinchie Distillery, Pencaitland, Tranent, East Lothian EH34 5ET Telephone: 01875 342 012 • Email: glenkinchie.distillery@diageo.com Twitter: @12distilleries • Facebook: friendsoftheclassicmalts www.discovering-distilleries.com/glenkinchie

THEATRE EUNICE OLUMIDE A U G U S T

RULING THE ROOST

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From modelling to stand-up, Wester Hailes-born Eunice Olumide refuses to limit herself – which is why she’s delighted to have a part in a surreal play about chickens

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WORDS MARK FISHER

ne glance at Eunice Olumide’s CV suggests a woman who likes to keep busy. In fact, career-wise, it looks as if there’s not much she hasn’t done in the performing arts. Brought up in Edinburgh’s Wester Hailes housing scheme, she was spotted by a fashion agency at the age of 15 and became a model. She has since worked all over the world, appeared in the pages of Dazed & Confused, ID magazine and Vogue, and

“I wanted the opportunity to play a character who challenged me. I really enjoy roles that take me out of my comfort zone – and this character is not about beauty or anything like that.” strutted the catwalk for Mulberry, Vivienne Westwood and Harris Tweed. She also sings with NorthernXposure, her band, whose “rap grime reggaeton dubstep” album The Last Piece of the Puzzle was released a few years ago. Then, on last year’s Fringe, she turned her hand to stand-up comedy under the name ‘Qyeen sweeTs’, and her burgeoning big-screen career includes cameos in the forthcoming Absolutely Fabulous and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story. “I don’t see them as different things,” says the 29-year-old. “I see life as one continuous experience. If somebody says to me, ‘I think

www.edfestmag.com

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you’d be great in this movie,’ I’m not going to say, ‘No, I can’t do that, because that’s not what I’ve specialised in.’ I’ll just go for it. There’s no point in limiting yourself.” It’s a versatility she puts down to her background. “Growing up where I did, there weren’t many other black families,” she says. “When you are a dual-cultured person, you tend to look for role models. I always looked to African-Americans because there weren’t that many black people here to identify with – and I can’t think of any African-American performing artists who only do one thing.” She adds: “Everyone I was inspired by, whether it was Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy, they all started doing music, then went into

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act, direct.” Now she’s adding yet another string to her bow as she joins the cast of The Chicken Trial, playing the role of a policewoman. This play, by Finnish journalist Johanna Koljonen, is based on the true case of Swedish artist Makode Linde, who was prosecuted for animal cruelty in 2008 after performing with a set of painted chickens. Koljonen reported on the trial and was struck by its surrealism. “The play retains the absurdity of the original trial, but I also gave the chicken a voice and let the characters say some of the things about art and philosophy they never could at the time,” says the playwright. For Olumide, it’s a chance to extend her range yet further. “I wanted the opportunity to play a character who was really different and who challenged me,” she says, looking forward to swapping London for her home town for a month. “I really enjoy roles that take me out of my comfort zone – and this character is not about beauty or anything like that.”

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WHERE & WHEN The Chicken Trial Pleasance Courtyard, 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 2.15pm From £6 Tel: 0131 556 6550

EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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30/06/2016 16:01

BOOKS AUTHOR COMEDIANS

Book publishers have opened up a window of opportunity for comedians with a personal story to tell WORDS JAY RICHARDSON

more in control and makes the material easier to absorb on their terms, “easier for them to hear” she suggests. The book grew from an episode about depression in her Radio 4 series, Susan Calman Is Convicted, which in turn drew from her stand-up routines. For storytelling comics with an existing body of hour-long shows, “our narratives can so easily be turned into a book”. Moreover, as a radio fixture, with the growing number of people consuming audiobooks, she’s already got an audience, “used to hearing my voice”. Factor in too, that the world of publishing is arguably more egalitarian than comedy, with no hang-ups about the number of women on panel shows, and you can unquestionably see its appeal for comics. Calman won’t be reproducing material from the book on stage. But in her new show, about people’s pre-conceptions, The Calman Before The Storm, you can perhaps sense a response to her mental health issues. “This is a confident show

UNDER COVER S

ince Caitlin Moran’s How To Be A Woman boosted demand for funny, personal books about the female experience, publishers have increasingly looked to comedians for frank, honest and amusing memoirs with a more ambitious, idiosyncratic edge than the typical celebrity autobiography. . Bridget Christie’s A Book For Her, which followed her Edinburgh Comedy Award-winning show, was a huge critical and commercial success. So, of course, she’s returning to the festival with Mortal, about her creeping preoccupation with death. Writing the book’s feminist treatise gave her “more room to develop ideas [and to] go into more detail about things”. But she’d already “liberated” herself as a comedian in discussing difficult subjects. “Talking about female genital mutilation or rape culture in a brightly lit community hall in a provincial town on a Friday night freed me up in terms of what I could write about in a book or a [newspaper] column,” she reflects. And perhaps counter-intuitively, she felt more pressure to be funny when putting her thoughts on paper. “My editor kept reminding me that it was going to be in the Humour section in bookshops, so my main objective was always to try to be amusing,” she recalls. For Susan Calman, who’d struggled to open up about her teenage suicide attempt in her act, writing Cheer Up Love: Adventures in Depression with the Crab of Hate, finally afforded her the opportunity to do so with clarity and humour. “That was difficult enough to write and it’s not something I ever really want to go into,” | she explains. “But it was important to put it in there so people knew just how bad it was when I was younger.” With sensitive subjects like depression, the book format puts the ‘audienceʼ

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“My editor kept reminding me that it was going to be in the Humour section, so my main objective was to be amusing” www.edfestmag.com

30/06/2016 16:35

BOOKS AUTHOR COMEDIANS A U G U S T

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PHOTOGRAPHY IDIL SUKAN (BRIDGET CHRISTIE), CHRIS FLOYD (LUISA OMIELAN), PIERS ALLARDYCE (SHAPPI KHORSANDI), STEVE ULLATHORNE (SUSAN CALMAN)

from someone who’s done 10 years at the Fringe,” she states matter-of-factly. “It’s the best show I’ve ever done.” Luisa Omielan agrees that memoirs transfer control from the comedian to the reader. Reprising her word-of-mouth smash, What Would Beyoncé Do?! at this year’s Fringe, she found that writing the companion book left her feeling, “quite vulnerable, because it’s like writing a dear diary for people to read in their own voice. In my stand-up, I can play caricatures, I’ve got accents and facial expressions to show what I mean. It’s difficult to capture that in a book.” However, as someone whose ITV2 pilot is currently gathering dust, books unquestionably amplify a comedian’s voice too. “TV has its doors locked,” she observes. “So it’s quite good that another genre or format is actually giving new talent an opportunity.” Itʼs impossible to be a stand-up without being a writer, Shappi Khorsandi maintains. The nature of the art form, in which you don’t get to choose your audience, means you have to try to connect with all sorts of people in a way that’s, “more nuanced, deeper and more heartfelt than ordinary interaction.” So it makes sense that publishers are increasingly

looking to comics because, “we have to spend so many years feeling comfortable in our own skin." The Anglo-Iranian comic perceives her patriotic hour, Oh My Country! From Morris Dancing To Morrissey, as a companion piece to her 2009 memoir, A Beginner’s Guide To Acting English. This year marks 40 years since her family arrived in the UK as Iranian refugees and it’s a decade since her breakthrough show, Asylum Speaker, which inspired the book. But Khorsandi is also returning to Edinburgh with acclaim for her debut novel, Nina Is Not OK, a powerful, darkly comic account of a teenager’s alcoholism. While the book is fiction, the comedian, “can’t pretend I didn’t lose my twenties to addiction, I was lost in a fog”. And she found the process of writing Nina an exhilarating rush, in more ways than one. “You get more creative with a novel, and it’s so much more expansive,” she says. “But at the same time, it really made me appreciate stand-up. The book was drawing me into a darker world. So when I could skip out and do a gig it seemed like diving into a pool of crisp, totally clear tonic water.”

WHERE & WHEN Bridget Christie: Mortal The Stand Comedy Club, 5-29 August (not 15, 16), 11am, from £12 Tel: 0131 558 7272

Luisa Omielan: What Would Beyoncé Do? Venue 150 at EICC, 26 August, 9.30pm, from £17.50 Tel: 0844 847 1639

Susan Calman: The Calman Before the Storm Pleasance Courtyard, 3-28 August, 6.20pm, from £10 Tel: 0131 556 6550 Susan Calman: Depression and How To Laugh It Off Bailie Gifford Theatre, 23 August, 1.30pm, from £10 Tel: 0845 373 5888

www.edfestmag.com

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Shappi Khorsandi Studio Theatre, 18 August, 3.45pm, from £12 Tel: 0845 373 5888

Shappi Khorsandi:Oh My Country! From Morris Dancing to Morrissey The Stand Comedy Club, 3-28 August (not 4, 15), 8.30pm, from £12 Tel: 0131 558 9005 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 16:35

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30/06/2016 14:15 28/06/2016 13:58

BOOKS MARK HADDON

Following his dramatic new short story collection, The Pier Falls, Mark Haddon ponders why there isn’t more death and destruction in literary fiction WORDS CLAIRE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY KATHERINE ANNE ROSE

HEADING FOR THE

“It’s surprising there isn’t more trauma and death in literary fiction. Narrative only lives because there is death, because we have a finite amount of time”

“

A U G U S T

y wife said it should be called: ‘Everyone dies.’ She said: “Why don’t you write a story where no one dies,” says Mark Haddon. The children’s author turned bestselling novelist has now turned his hand to short stories in an unashamedly dark collection of tales, The Pier Falls. Haddon, who wrote The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time, is surprised there is not more death and violence in literary fiction. “My question would be, why do literary novels stay away from that? I always think about horror and crime being bestselling genres. “It’s surprising there isn’t more trauma and death in literary fiction. Narrative only lives because there is death, because we have a finite amount of time.” His favourite story in The Pier Falls is a gothic fantasy tale, The Gun, based on the medieval epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. “There’s something mystical and elemental about it. I love the dog leg at the beginning. You think it is a social study of the middle classes at Christmas and then you roll into the ravine.” Haddon also takes inspiration from classical mythology, from Victorian explorer narratives, and from the unforgiving stare of reality television, in a collection full of drama, action and extraordinary descriptive writing. He says: “What I like are stories shortened, rather than short stories. I write stories, which I then compress. “The Island started as a long narrative poem and three of the short stories in the book started as plays.” Haddon says it took him a long time before he realised what he wanted in a short story. He had also completed at least three adult novels before he wrote and published The Curious Incident, a mystery story told through the eyes of a teenager with Asperger’s, which became a global success. “I knew I had something that worked and that’s all I knew. I was pretty sure it was a good book and I remember saying that I’d be happy if it sold 5,000 copies.” Haddon says: “no one is really counting”, but The Curious Incident went on to sell between five and ten million copies worldwide. The author believes its popularity was partly because it wasn’t, “tied to the English language. Readers do 85% of the work – so it is something they create themselves.” For The Pier Falls, he has also provided the illustrations, producing a full-page drawing for each of the stories in the book. It is, he says, “a way of supporting local book shops, to encourage people to go into a shop to buy a physical book.” Haddon says he “writes for himself”, but has been delighted by the reaction to his ultra-real short stories, which have already collected a pile of awards. “A lot of the reviews have said they are short stories for people who don’t like short stories. “Another said: ‘this could be the collection he is remembered for.’ “At the moment, I am halfway through a novel, but the reaction to the stories has been so positive I’m thinking I might turn 180 degrees and maybe write some more.”

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WHERE & WHEN Mark Haddon Bailie Gifford Main Theatre, 23 August, 3.15pm, from £12 Tel: 0845 373 5888 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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30/06/2016 15:27

BOOKS ROWAN HISAYO BUCHANAN A U G U S T

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THE

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Rowan Hisayo Buchanan’s debut novel paints a picture of a time when art by strong, talented women went largely unrecognised

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WORDS CLAIRE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY ERIC TORTORA PATO 19

ew York in the 1960s was a ferment of creativity in music, art and literature, but not everyone who played a part in this scene won recognition for their contribution. Now, though, one forgotten group – Japanese women artists – has finally attracted the spotlight as the subject of Rowan Hisayo Buchanan’s debut novel, Harmless Like You. “A lot of Japanese artists were working at this time, but they are only now being recognised,” says the writer, who’ll be at the Edinburgh International Book Festival to discuss her novel. “Yoko Ono, never described as anything but ‘John Lennon’s girlfriend’, has only now got an exhibition at MoMA. And Yayoi Kusama, whose polka-dot paintings are huge now, was also working in New York at that time.” Hisayo Buchanan, who is of Chinese, Japanese, English, Scottish and American heritage, is fascinated by why such strong, talented female artists were sidelined in the cultural maelstrom of the 1960s. “I grew up with a lot of stories from that time, but I’d never read

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any from this perspective. When I was growing up, there weren’t a lot of books with people like me on the cover.” Harmless Like You, which spurred a bidding war between rival publishers, is split between the story of Yuki, the artist, which begins in the 1960s, and that of her estranged son Jay, told in the present day. “Yuki wasn’t the best mother, but I don’t think that makes you an evil person,” says the author. “I wanted to find out how she got there.” Left alone in New York when her parents return to Tokyo, Yuki almost disappears into her own loneliness. In the parallel narrative, Jay sets out to find his mother. “He thinks she hated him. I wanted to explore that dissonance.”

“Yoko Ono, never described as anything but ‘John Lennon’s girlfriend’, has only now got an exhibition at MoMA”

Hisayo Buchanan’s maternal grandparents, who were Chinese and Japanese, met and married in New York. She herself has lived in London, New York, Tokyo and Norfolk, and has spent a lot of time in Nairn with her father’s family: “I am more Scottish than anything else,” she says. She draws on her own cross-cultural identity to create the unforgettable Yuki. “I do a lot of visual art as well and I spent a lot of time thinking about that world. That was a part of her character and the way she saw the world. Part of what she is trying to do is to find a way to be an artist. It’s not one of those careers where someone can tell you what to do.” She is still getting used to the idea that others have read the book and seen into her private world. “It’s very satisfying that people whose lives seem very different from mine can relate to Yuki.” WHERE & WHEN Rowan Hisayo Buchanan & Atticus Lish Writers’ Retreat, 27 August, 5pm, from £6 Tel: 0845 373 5888 www.edfestmag.com

30/06/2016 15:29

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★★★★★

BETTER THAN GLEE...MESMERISING EdFest Magazine

THE 2015 EDINBU FRINGE SELRLGH RETURNS! OUT

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30/06/2016 14:17

MUSIC YOUNG FATHERS

ard though it may be to credit during August, when the festival city is teeming with artists and audiences, Edinburgh is not always a nurturing environment for creative expression, according to acclaimed electronica trio Young Fathers. These Mercury Music Prize-winners had their fair share of discouragement before rising to become one of the city’s most audacious artistic exports – and now a leading attraction of the International Festival’s contemporary music programme. Graham Hastings, aka the band’s beatmeister G, grew up in Drylaw, north-west Edinburgh. He is quick to credit his supportive family who put up with any number of noisy Young Fathers rehearsals in his bedroom, but as a teenager he was sensitive to the cultural cringe in the wider community. “As soon as you chose to stand out from the

A U G U S T

toured extensively worldwide in the last couple of years, but they were particularly keen to test the appetite for their provocatively titled album White Men Are Black Men Too in the US and South Africa. “We know the world is not an equal place but that was the whole point of the album title, to start a conversation, agree or disagree,” says Hastings. “With South Africa’s history, it felt there was no better place to ask people about how it made them feel. One boy told

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Stand encoura ing out from th e crowd ged wh but the wasn’t Edinbur en Young Fathe gh elect r s s tarte in shakin ronica t rio have d out, g off Sc WORDS succeed otland’s FIONA S ed cultural HEPHER D PHO c r in TOGRA g e PH Y SELF

PORTRA IT

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S S E R P X E F L E S R U YO bunch and express yourself, there was a kind of knock-back from it, that weird feeling of ‘stop being a show-off’,” he says. “Being with the band and travelling the world, I’ve found that’s not actually very common. In South Africa, all the kids are encouraged to dance and to sing, and it’s fun to them. That kind of enjoyment people get out of expressing themselves, that’s how it should be.” Young Fathers have www.edfestmag.com

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us it made him think of redefining what blackness is, what being white is, what being Muslim is. These stereotypes just ruin everything because on a day-to-day basis people get along. I always think what a nightmare it must be, having to go about picking who your enemies are. The more you travel, the more you realise people are similar in what they want. Obviously there are traditions and rules, but generally people just want to get along and live as easily as they can.” But for Hastings and the rest of Young Fathers, living easily does not mean doing what is expected of you. “One of our songs says ‘got me feeling like I’m Presbyterian’, because I always feel it’s a Presbyterian thing to just do your work, settle down, make a living, have your children, take care of them and that’s it. Being around the world has helped me to see the other side of that and how it’s in human nature to be able to express yourself.”

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WHERE & WHEN Young Fathers The Hub, 14-15 August, 9.30pm, from £25 Tel: 0 131 473 2000 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 15:30

MUSIC EMMA POLLOCK A U G U S T

NEW KIDS ON THE ROCK

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As the International Festival opens its arms to popular music, former Delgados’ frontwoman Emma Pollock is delighted to be included

WORDS FIONA SHEPHERD PHOTOGRAPHY JANNICA HONEY

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omedy and theatre have long been mainstays of the Fringe programme, with theatre, opera and classical music the preserve of the International Festival – and rock and pop a rarer occurrence all round. As the Fringe has made room for cabaret and spoken word in recent years, it is the International Festival that has stepped up to become the unlikely but very welcome home of popular music, with new director Fergus Linehan adding an imaginative contemporary music strand to the programme to rival the fondly remembered days of the Fringe’s Flux festival, when the likes of Nick Cave added a bit of an edge to the line-up. This year, artists such as Canada’s Godspeed You! Black Emperor, Iceland’s Sigur Rós and Senegal’s Youssou N’Dour will rub shoulders with a strong Scottish contingent, including Emma Pollock, former singer with The Delgados and current recipient of much acclaim for her latest solo album, In Search of Harperfield. “With this album I threw out a lot of presumption about how I write and took inspiration from everything from the Great American Songbook though to jazz via contemporary, spikier pop,” she says. Despite her broad musical background, Pollock admits to being “slightly surprised but absolutely delighted” at her inclusion in the International Festival programme.

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“I really like what they’re doing this year,” she says. “They just seem to be upping the game, in that everyone’s invited. If I’m being honest, I didn’t feel like that before. I had always associated the International Festival with being a little bit more distant and traditional.” Last year’s pop interlopers, including Sufjan Stevens, FFS and King Creosote, were enthusiastically embraced, and now Pollock is relishing the opportunity to play to an audience who may not be familiar with her finely wrought indie songwriting. “It’s like being invited round to someone’s house – you trust their taste, but you wouldn’t necessarily know that artist,” she says. Along with her fellow former Delgados, Pollock still runs Chem19 studios and Chemikal Underground Records in Glasgow, mentoring and championing a succession of much-loved Scottish acts, including Mogwai and Aidan Moffat,

“I threw out a lot of presumption about how I write and took inspiration from everything from the Great American Songbook through to jazz via contemporary, spikier pop”

HOMEGROWN TALENT Scotland’s folk musicians are richly represented at the EIF. Karine Polwart presents a multimedia show, Wind Resistance; James Yorkston plays with bassist Jon Thorne and Indian singer and sarangi player Suhail Khan; there is a deserved reprise for Nae Regrets (a massed orchestral performance of Martyn Bennett’s final album Grit ); and Lau’s Martin Green collaborates with members of Portishead, Mogwai, The Unthanks and Edinburgh singer/songwriter Adam Holmes in Flit.

who also feature on this year’s EIF bill alongside other home players such as Karine Polwart and James Yorkston. “There is always a responsibility, in the curating of an event, to recognise where it comes from,” says Pollock. “Why not showcase what’s on the doorstep? Because we’ve been celebrating what Scotland has done for so long, there’s no reason to stop now, given everything that we have.” WHERE & WHEN Emma Pollock The Hub, 25 August, 7pm, from £25 Tel: 0131 473 2000 www.edfestmag.com

30/06/2016 16:11

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Written By Giles Andreae and Russell Ayto Adapted For Stage By Oliver Lansley Praise for Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs:

WINNER OF THE PRIMARY TIMES CHILDREN’S CHOICE AWARD ‘LOTS OF FUN’

‘MAGICAL’

‘BRILLIANT’

★★★★

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TIME OUT

FEST

ONE 4 REVIEW

3rd August - 29th August 2016, 10.30am Pleasance Courtyard, Pleasance One Box Office: 0131 556 6550 www.pleasance.co.uk www.lespetitstheatre.com

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30/06/2016 14:19

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30/06/2016 17:48

CITY GUIDE 21 THINGS TO DO

TOSS THAT CABER! Experience the excitement of the Highland Games in the idyllic town of North Berwick, just outside the city. Let the pipe band get your heart thumping as you behold Scottish champions compete before your eyes. www.northberwickhighlandgames.org

HAIR OF THE DOWNWARD DOG Stretch out and recover from that festival hangover at Lululemon’s Sunday morning yoga sessions. Led by local instructors and suitable for all skill levels, their George Street branch is the perfect spot to get into some poses with fellow Sunday strugglers! www.lululemon.co.uk

Fun & games

SWIMMING WITH SHARKS Dive into the action and come face to face with 10ft Sand Tiger Sharks at Deep Sea World. Never dived before? Their experienced professionals will train you through it all in advance, so that nobody has to miss out. Even brave kids can take the plunge! www.deepseaworld.com

Go beyond the festival, embark on one of these thrilling adventures WORDS CHIARA MARGIOTTA

TERROR TOUR Dare to be scared as you tour the haunted graveyards of the City of the Dead, where guides will teach you about the capital’s gruesome history before venturing into Edinburgh’s Covenanter’s Prison and the Black Mausoleum - home to the Mackenzie Poltergeist, the best documented supernatural entity of all time. It's the perfect chance to get up close to one of the world’s most famous ghosts! www.cityofthedeadtours.com

SNAP HAPPY Enrich your artistic skills at Edinburgh Zoo’s Nature Photography Workshop, where you’ll be guided by renowned wildlife photographer Laurie Campbell on an exclusive tour of the zoo before taking part in a workshop to learn some tricks of the trade and receive one-on-one advice. A great opportunity to get the best out of your photos, no matter what your level. The stunning setting and all its glorious animals is sure to inspire you www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

AUTOWED Declare your love with Camera Obscura’s truly unique approach to marriage. Give a pound to the Autowed, a sugary pink wedding robot, and it’ll oversee the whole ceremony and play the wedding march! Confirm your vows on its computer keyboard and it’ll drop out a pair of rings and a wedding certificate quicker than you can say ‘I do’. www.camera-obscura.co.uk www.edfestmag.com

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CITY GUIDE 21 THINGS TO DO

COUNTRY LIVIN’ Behold the incredible skills of the horse and rider duos as they compete in a three-day ‘equestrian triathlon’ at the beautiful Blair Castle. Involving dressage, cross country and show jumping, there's plenty of talent on offer. Plus, the country fair held on the grounds ensures that even non-horsey spectactors can have a great time. www.blairhorsetrials.co.uk

SWINGIN’ STYLE Amp up your wardrobe with the fabulous retro finds to be discovered at the UK’s leading vintage fair. Affordable and accessible, Judy’s aim to bring the joy of vintage glamour to everyone, from accessories to a whole outfit -including plenty of unique dresses- and homeware. www.judysvintagefair.co.uk

CLIMB AWAY Challenge yourself at Scotland’s first Clip ‘N Climb facility at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena! The 15 different climbing elements mean that there’s a game for everyone and every skill level, from racing against the clock in the Speed Climb to taking a ride on the Vertical Drop Slide - perfect for adults and children alike. www.clipnclimbscotland.com

LOCKEDIN Discover the secrets of the Pickerings Gin distillery with this immersive LockedIn experience. A great afternoon activity for groups, you must work as a team to escape the distillery, looking for clues to complete your mission and save yourself. www.lockedinedinburgh.com

ROLLING HAGGIS Be adventurous and experience the most Scottish in zorbing activities - Rolling Haggis! Situated on the top of the magnificent Pentland Hills, you'll feel exhilarated by the views as you hurtle across the landscape in your very own squishy hamster ball! For the truly brave, try out the Haggis Harness and plunge down the specially designed hill at up to 30mph! www.zorbedinburgh.co.uk

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BREW IT YOURSELF Create your own beer at Stewart Brewing’s ‘Craft Beer Kitchen’. The resident Brewmaster gives guidance and tips on the best way to put your own spin on a brew. www.stewartbrewing. co.uk

GET NUDE Anything goes at All The Young Nude’s drawing events in the atmospheric Cabaret Voltaire. Paired with specially curated, weekly changing playlists, any and all artists are invited to hone their skills and get inspired in this unique space. www.atyn.co.uk

IS THIS THE REAL LIFE? Unleash the budding artist within and roam free at the National Gallery's surrealism experience, Strange Lands and Peculiar Places. Kids are encouraged to express themselves by painting, drawing and sculpting, as well as adding their own stamp to an ever-changing 3D wall mural. www.nationalgalleries.org

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1 DAY GUIDED TOURS 2 - 8 day packaged tours www.highlandexperience.com 0131 226 1414

Award-winning Scottish dining at the heart of the Edinburgh festival Royal Mile | 267 Canongate Edinburgh | EH8 8BQ Open for lunch Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Saturday from 12noon and Sunday from 12.30pm Open daily for dinner from 6pm To book call 0131 558 8737 or email: info@wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk @chefwedgwood

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A job doesn’t have to be based in an office! Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has places still available on some courses starting in Autumn 2016 at our campus locations across Scotland. SRUC offers undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, HND/HNC and National Certificate courses and a range of vocational study opportunities. SRUC offers courses in Agricultural • Business • Animal • Engineering • Forestry • Golf and Sport • Hospitality • Equine • Horticultural and Environmental subject areas.

For up-to-date information about vacancies for this year go to: www.sruc.ac.uk/clearing For summer Open Day dates, phone 0800 269 453 or visit our website to book your place and find out more: www.sruc.ac.uk/study

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30/06/2016 14:57

CITY GUIDE 21 THINGS TO DO

RETRO VIEWING Transport yourself back to cinema’s most glamorous era with Vintage Mobile Cinema’s debut Edinburgh appearance on George Street. Every night comedians will present their favourite film to an intimate late night audience. You can also catch a giggle at the nightly comedy showreel. www.vintagemobilecinema.co.uk

ALL THAT JAZZ Learn killer moves at Da nce Base’s intensive Conte mporary and Jazz holiday dance sch ool. This week-long course is the perfect way to kick your skills up a notch. www.dancebase.co.uk

ON A ROLL of cooking’s most Immerse yourself in one hi rolling! sus s que intensive techni ideal place to learn Yo! Sushi’s school is the 'll be making maki You lls. and perfect you ski no time! and sashimi at home in m .co shi osu w.y ww

SAIL AWAY Explore Edinburgh’s Firth of Forth and catch a glimpse of the awe-inspiring Bass Rock on one of the Scottish Seabird Centre’s cruises! Pick the tour that’s perfect for you, with a range of seafaris to suit wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, adventurers and historians alike, meaning that everyone can enjoy the tour of the landscape to it’s fullest. www.seabird.org

AL FRESCO DINING Dine in the sumptuous surroundings of Archerfield’s Walled Garden for this month’s Supper Club. The bespoke menu is inspired by ripe herbs and vegetables from the garden to create a truly fresh, local experience. Even the aperitifs include their homemade cordials and fine ale! www.archerfieldwalledgarden.com

KEEPER FOR THE DA Y Wild about animals? Be come a keeper for the day at Blair Dru mmond Safari Park. Junior Keepers are tak en into the meercat pen and shown how to feed and care for the furry fellas in this advent urous outing. www.blairdrummond.co m

LUCKY STARS Take a trip to Glasgow and explore local music venues like the iconic Barrowland, where David Bowie played. Legend has it a star from the Barrowland ceiling fell on the Starman, and that's just one of the many tales you'll discover during your tour of the UK’s first UNESCO City of Music. www.glasgowmusiccitytours.com

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★★★★★ ‘YOU COULD SEE THIS

EVERY NIGHT AND NEVER TIRE OF IT’

THE MIRROR

PAUL MERTON RICHARD VRANCH LEE SIMPSON SUKI WEBSTER AND MIKE McSHANE

PLEASANCE COURTYARD 11-21 AUG 4PM

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BY ARRANGEMENT WITH MANDY WARD ARTIST MANAGEMENT

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Photo: Caroline Webster

BEARDYMAN 18-24 AUG Pleasance Grand 11.45pm

JOHN HASTINGS 3-29 AUG Pleasance Attic 9.30pm

KATY BRAND 3-29 AUG

Pleasance Upstairs 4.45pm

LOLLY ADEFOPE 3-28 AUG Pleasance Beside 6pm

LOYISO GOLA 3-29 AUG Pleasance Bunker 2 8pm

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MAX & IVAN 3-28 AUG

Pleasance Queen Dome 8.20pm

THE bEST SHOWS AT THE FESTIVAL ORLANDO BAXTER 3-29 AUG Pleasance Attic 7pm

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TOMMY TIERNAN 5-28 AUG

PAUL MERTON’S IMPRO CHUMS

SALLY & LILY 15-21 AUG

pleasance.co.uk

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11-21 AUG Pleasance Grand 4pm

Assembly One 8pm

SARAH KENDALL 3-28 AUG Assembly Five 6.45pm

Gilded Balloon Debating Hall 7.30pm

TONY LAW 4-28 AUG

Assembly Hall Rainy Hall 8pm

mickp errin .com

30/06/2016 14:58

CHILDREN KING ARTHUR A U G U S T

David Gant is about to crown his long career as an actor with the lead in a new play about King Arthur – a role that feels like his destiny

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WORDS MARK FISHER PHOTOGRAPHY MATTHEW KALTENBORN

FIT FOR A KING

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ou can see why they wanted to cast David Gant in the twin roles of King Arthur and Merlin. Just look at his tumbling mane of grey hair, his elder-statesman’s beard and his chiselled features. Isn’t that exactly how the heroes of Arthurian legend are supposed to look? “I’ve always wanted to play King Arthur,” says the 73-year-old. Although he has played Merlin a couple of times on TV, he also had parts in Braveheart and Gandhi and played the lead role in King Lear, so he can’t complain about being typecast. This version of King Arthur is adapted by Adam Fletcher-Forde of Story Pocket Theatre from Arthur, High King of Britain, the novel by War Horse author Michael Morpurgo. Billed as an “epic tale of deep magic, heroism, love and betrayal”, it is about a boy who is rescued from the sea by an old man who claims to be King Arthur Pendragon. His stories of battles and bravery – and the sword in the stone – prove his credentials. “I saw Story Pocket Theatre’s Arabian Nights and it was just amazing,” says Gant. “They were telling stories, which is basic to

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“I’m looking forward to the hurly-burly of the festival again” everybody. When I was doing pantomime at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, I would dress up as the character and go to the children’s library, get the easier version of Cinderella or Snow White and read it to the little children. The people who were interested most of all were the parents. It was the same with Arabian Nights; the parents just sat entranced. That’s why you give children’s theatre the same input as adult theatre. This is a beautiful script and it doesn’t talk down to children.” It is Gant’s striking appearance that explains the Scottish actor’s parallel career as a fashion model. Unlikely as it may seem, it began at the age of 57. That was when he was hired to be the face of Guinness in a German billboard campaign. The photographer recommended him to a fashion designer and the rest is history. “It was a revelation,” says Gant. “I felt completely at ease.” He has subsequently posed for David Bailey, taken to the catwalk in Milan and appeared on the covers of fashion magazines. He’s a regular on

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the Guardian’s style pages and was named one of the Times’ best-dressed men. “The one great advantage about modelling is you don’t have to remember lines,” he laughs, just off the plane from Stockholm where he has been modelling designer glasses. “I like being in front of a camera – that’s not a big-headed thing, I just do. With fashion, if you’re enjoying it, it will come through in the images.” All the while, he has maintained his career as an actor, although it is getting on for 30 years since he performed at the Fringe. He was part of the Traverse in 1987 in the company’s old Grassmarket home, appearing in Abel Barebone and Playing with Fire. “Those were great days – some of the happiest times in the theatre for me,” he says. “And I’m looking forward to the hurly-burly of the festival again.”

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WHERE & WHEN Michael Morpurgo's King Arthur Gilded Balloon at the Museum, 3–29 August, 2.45pm, from £6 Tel: 0131 622 6552 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

30/06/2016 15:54

BOOKS SOPHIE KINSELLA A U G U S T

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Sophie Kinsella’s teen novel is a sweet, compassionate tale of a girl suffering from chronic anxiety – a subject she knows only too well

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WORDS CLAIRE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY JOHN SWANNELL 5

ophie Kinsella has a new book out, and it’s very different from the best-selling Shopaholic novels that have brought her such success. Finding Audrey is aimed at a teenage audience, and is a sweet, funny, smart account of a girl suffering from chronic anxiety. The inspiration for this story, however, came from the same source as the rest of her novels, as Kinsella explains: “I think I just absorb things that are going on around me – whether it is people shopping and running up credit-card bills or people working too hard – and that’s what I write about.” In the novel, Audrey can hardly leave her bedroom. She can’t even take off her dark glasses in the house. Social anxiety is crippling her. Kinsella, as the mother of five children aged between four and nineteen, has a great deal of first-hand experience in the lives of young people. “I’m lucky,” she says. “This hasn’t happened to any of my children. But I know how much of it is around, especially for girls.” Kinsella’s insight into Audrey’s disordered thinking was informed by her own experience of serious anxiety, which was treated with cognitive behavioural therapy. “I had CBT myself,” she says. “After the birth of one of my children, I went through a phase – probably a postnatal thing – of getting very anxious about my children’s safety.” It’s not all bleak – she has a lot of fun with the character of Audrey’s mother, who picks up health obsessions from the tabloids, tries to make her children read self-improving books and is engaged in a running battle with her teenage son about his addiction to computer gaming. “I’m like her,” she admits. “I appreciate that these games have incredible appeal and are cleverly made – but I just don’t get it. Audrey’s story tackles quite a dark subject matter, so I thought I would lighten it up by bringing in the battle between the generations about computer games.”

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Audrey’s tiny steps towards friendship with her brother’s friend Linus are also very touching – and there is some useful insight in the book, both for those with anxiety and for the people around them. “First and foremost, you just have to be there. I think learning to be patient with these things is the real issue. From doing research on this, I realised you can’t rush it. Audrey gets very impatient with herself, as a lot of people do, and wants to get cured instantly.” The reader never discovers what led Audrey to retreat from the world.

“It’s not necessary to reveal everything. Sometimes you have to protect yourself in order to be stronger”

There’s a suggestion she was bullied, and she refers to her phone as a “toxic portal”, but the details are never revealed. “I think there is a great power in sometimes leaving a gap and letting the reader fill it themselves,” offers Kinsella. “There is room for imagination. The trouble with spelling it out is that some readers will think, ‘That’s not a big deal,’ and others would be traumatised. The focus would be on what happened, whereas this book is about recovery. “I think when Audrey says, ‘Some things are private,’ that is a great message. I hope some teenagers will take courage from that. It is not necessarily healthy to reveal everything. Sometimes you have to protect yourself in order to be stronger.” WHERE & WHEN Finding Sophie Kinsella Garden Theatre, 14 August, 5.45pm, from £5 Tel: 0845 373 5888

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The a cappella all-stars return to Edinburgh! ★★★★★ ‘A SONIC PHENOMENON’ The Guardian

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30/06/2016 15:06

BOOKS SOPHIE THOMPSON A U G U S T

She may belong to one of Britain’s foremost acting dynasties, but Sophie Thompson is writing her own lines now, and loving it

WORDS CLAIRE SMITH PHOTOGRAPHY MATT HUMPHREY

ABOUT A BOY

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ears ago, Sophie Thompson began scribbling down ideas for a children’s book about a boy called Vince who could talk to animals. “I then put it away in a drawer and forgot about it,” she laughs. Life (she has two children of her own) and work intervened, bringing her acting roles in Four Weddings and a Funeral, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows and Emma, among many others, and writing took a back seat. But the story stuck in her mind and eventually resurfaced. It has now been published under the title Zoo Boy, with illustrations by Rebecca Ashdown, and its author is bringing it to Edinburgh for the Book Festival. According to Faber commissioning editor Alice Swan, the funny, quirky story – about an eight-year-old boy who suddenly realises he can hear animals talk – caught her eye before she realised who the author was. Sophie, of course, belongs to one of Britain’s most famous acting dynasties. Her sister is Emma Thompson, her mother is Phyllida Law and her father was Eric Thompson, creator of The Magic Roundabout. “Doing what I do, you get long periods of time when you need to find your creativity in another area,” she offers as an explanation of her desire to write. “My dad always supported me, and I was surrounded by brilliant writers like my mum and my sister.” Her father, she adds, “was hopeless at reading to us. He used to read the shortest Beatrix Potter story he could find.” But she remembers lying on the floor listening to him as he watched reel-to-reel tapes of the original French version of The Magic Roundabout, making up his own hilarious and surreal

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“As an actor I am beholden to others to give me a job, but writing lets me work without depending on other people. It is amazing”

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narrative about what was going on. “He didn’t know the French story and he didn’t want to – he just wrote his own version.” In Zoo Boy, Vince discovers he can talk to animals – but, to begin with, he isn’t all that thrilled about his gift. “He really does not like animals – and for good reason. His father is a zookeeper who spends all his time with the animals, and his mother is having an affair with a lion tamer. The zoo animals are very spoilt and pampered and have everything done for them.” But Horace the badger, whom she describes as a mixture of her father and the Magic Roundabout’s Dougal and Brian, befriends Vince and changes his mind. The boy also has a tremendous ally in his sparkly, eccentric grandma, who

wafts delightfully through the book in a series of extraordinary outfits. There are drawings, shopping lists, songs and poems and lots of private jokes between the author and her young readers. “Hopefully, it’s funny – I really wanted it to be funny,” she smiles. Thompson, who won Celebrity Masterchef in 2014, has also written a cookbook, My Family Kitchen, inspired by her Scottish mother and grandmothers, and has already begun a sequel to Zoo Boy. Writing clearly suits her: “It’s amazing – I love having something I can do by myself. As an actress, I am beholden to others to give me a job. Now I can settle down to work without having to depend on other people.”

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WHERE & WHEN Talking to Animals with Sophie Thompson Baillie Gifford Corner Theatre, 20 August, 2pm, from £5 Tel: 0845 373 5888 EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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ART SELF-PORTRAITS

Above: Robert Mapplethorpe and Andy Warhol. Below: Sarah Lucas

SELFIE STARTER In a fascinating study of the self-portrait spanning six centuries, Facing the World finds a surprising connection between renaissance masters and Instagram snaps WORDS MARK FISHER

his summer’s big exhibition at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Facing the World, is subtitled Self-Portraits: Rembrandt to Ai Weiwei. But when the same collection of images was shown in Germany and France en route to Edinburgh, the subtitle was rather more direct: From Rembrandt to the Selfie. This, after all, is an exhibition that makes the unexpected connection between the celebrated studies of the great renaissance masters and the images you may well have uploaded onto Instagram this week. Indeed, one of the novelties of the display is a working

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photo booth. Thanks to artists Peter Weibel and Matthias Gommel, gallery-goers can not only compare and contrast the way that artists from Sir Henry Raeburn to Andy Warhol have tackled the self-portrait, they can also take pictures of themselves. “People can go in there, pay £1, and get their photo taken, and it gets broadcast immediately in the exhibition,” says Imogen Gibbon, the gallery’s deputy director. “They’ll also be able to see all the photos from Germany and France, so we’re building up a European community. Photo booths were important to Warhol’s Polaroids, so it’s all part of the tradition.” The approach taken by Gibbon and her fellow curators is not to present a chronological survey of the self-portrait – something that has already been well covered in print – but to group the work of otherwise unrelated artists into five broad themes. Images drawn from six centuries are gathered together under the titles ‘Up Close and Personal’, ‘The Artist at Work’, ‘Friends and Family’, ‘Role Play’ and ‘The Body of the Artist’. “You might get a 16th-century Dutch work next to an engraving made during the First World War,” says Gibbon, who, among other tasks, had to trawl through the 11,000 photographs in Ai Weiwei’s Instagram account to complete her selection. “It places works from different eras alongside each other to show how something in the 16th century was similar to what someone in the 1760s was still trying to do or had moved on from.” She adds: “Ai Weiwei’s posts are making a global political point, whereas Palma Vecchio in 1510 was entrenched in portraying an artist and the bare bones of humanity. Within those two ends of the spectrum, anything goes.” Before now, you might never have thought of Annie Lennox at the same time as Allan Ramsay, or Sarah Lucas at the same time as Henri Matisse, but as artists dealing with the question of portraying themselves, they were attempting the same thing. The connections are there to www.edfestmag.com

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ART SELF-PORTRAITS A U G U S T

Clockwise from top left: John Bellany in Addenbrooke’s Hospital; James Nasmyth’s hand; Edvard Munch; Sir Henry Raeburn; Rembrandt; Cecile Walton

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“You might get a 16th-century Dutch work next to an engraving made during the First World War”

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be found: John Bellany painted lurid images of himself wearing an oxygen mask in his Addenbrooke’s Hospital series, just as Scotland’s Cecile Walton painted herself clutching her newborn child in a maternity ward. Likewise, Alexis Grimou saw himself as a drinker in 1732, cheerfully raising a glass of wine, just as, 200 years later, a rather more morose Edvard Munch represented himself sitting next to a bottle of wine. The self-portraiture theme also means we can see familiar works from the gallery’s Scottish collection in a new light. “It’s very important to give visitors something else with this exhibition,” Gibbon says. “So, yes, they might have seen the Sarah Lucas self-portraits, but here they’ll be telling a different story. I’m hoping people will be inspired to try a self-portrait themselves or go and take a selfie.” If the juxtapositions are unexpected, so too is the definition of a self-portrait. As well as painting and photography, the exhibition includes drawings, video and sculpture. And it’s not all faces. Positioned overhead are the linking bronze limbs of Bruce Nauman’s Untitled (Hand Circle), not a million miles away from the hands of Helen Chadwick photographed clutching a human brain. “Nauman is in effect saying, ‘I’m a sculptor – this is the part of me that makes things’,” Gibbon explains. “When we were selecting works from our collection, nothing was off limits. Then we’d push it to our French and German colleagues and the ideas would start flowing.”

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WHERE & WHEN Facing the World, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 16 July–16 October, from £9 Tel: 0131 624 6200 www.edfestmag.com

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ART BARBARA RAE

FORWARD THINKER N

ext year will be the 50th anniversary of The Open Eye Gallery may be hosting Barbara Rae’s debut solo show. It was at a retrospective exhibition of her work, the New 57 Gallery in Rose Street and she, just 24, was a recent graduate of Edinburgh but artist Barbara Rae has never College of Art. But don’t mention any of this to the been one to look back artist. Sitting in her New Town studio, a bijou mews WORDS MARK FISHER conversion full of light, she looks horrified at the thought that so much time has passed. She has never been one to look back. That’s why when she discusses the Open Eye of Scotland and Ireland, the hills of Spain, the docks Gallery’s retrospective exhibition of her work she finds of Aberdeen and Leith, Mexico during the Day of it hard to separate the past from the present. Yes, it the Dead – taking note of the history of the land and will include a couple of her student pieces, even one making impressionistic records in her sketchbooks. she did at school (she squirms at the idea), but more “The history of a location is very important to me,” centrally, it will feature prints and paintings that she says. “If I was doing paintings on the west coast reflect the particular passions she had at the time – of Scotland, I’d be thinking about the people who had and which at any point may return. departed and the Celtic influence on the carvings. “I find it very difficult to go backwards,” she says. In Arizona, the petrified forest became the start of a “If I get something that I’m interested in, I’ll take it big series working with the landscape and the marks on and on, then suddenly it stops because I’m too made by the Anasazi Indians.” far away from it. I couldn’t say I was going to revisit Her most dramatic creative work takes place back Arizona and the Indian carvings, for example, because in the studio where she simplifies the source I’m too far away from it, but I could go back to material in prints which, in turn, influence Arizona and do something.” the bold colours of her abstracted (but It’s a working method she struck upon never fully abstract) paintings. “The early on. “A big influence was the drawing is only the starting point artist John Busby, who taught us at for what happens in the studio,” college,” she says. “Once a week we “I find it very she says. “I play around with the had to go and draw outside. We difficult to go motif and alter it. With printing, were taken all over the place – to backwards. If I all sorts of unexpected things the breweries, the coalmines, happen. I couldn’t care less if the North Queensferry, to the zoo. get something grass is green – once it gets back I’ve done that ever since.” that I’m to the studio, it can be any colour Refusing to be called it wants.” a landscape artist, Rae interested in, nonetheless uses the natural I’ll take it on WHERE & WHEN world – and human influence and on” Barbara Rae: Return Journey on it – as her source material. Open Eye Gallery, 1–31 August, She’ll spend time in key free Tel: 0131 557 1020 locations – the west coasts

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ART BARBARA RAE A U G U S T

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Opposite page, left to right: Hamilton-Russell Vineyard (South Africa); Lammermuir Farm This page, top: Cortijo Ladero (Spain) Right: Zafra Vine (Spain) Above: Spring Tide, Lacken

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FOOD FOODIES FESTIVAL

FOODIE F HEAVEN Foodies Festival’s three-day event brings a slice of paradise to Inverleith Park, complete with artisan produce, tasty street food and fun masterclasses WORDS LIDIA MOLINA WHYTE

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oodies Festival’s annual celebration of food and drink is back in its Edinburgh home on 5, 6 and 7 August. Inverleith Park, behind the Botanic Gardens, will turn into a feasting paradise where you can sample the best artisan fare from a range of handpicked producers, taste your way through scrumptious street food from around the world and marvel at talented cooks from Scotland and beyond. This year, the AGA Rangemaster Chefs Theatre has a star-studded line-up, welcoming some amazing local and international chefs. Kaori Simpson, from Harajuku Kitchen, will be giving devotees of Japanese cuisine a treat with a sushi demonstration. Stuart Muir of DINE, Jacqueline O’Donnell of The Sisters and James Chapman of the Scran & Scallie will also be cooking their favourite dishes and sharing their top culinary tips. If all the food makes you thirsty, there are plenty of options to quench your thirst. Head along to

30/06/2016 16:13

FOOD FOODIES FESTIVAL A U G U S T

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the Pimm’s Teapot – an actual, giant teapot – for a refreshing cocktail, or book yourself in for one of the masterclasses at the Drinks Theatre, where the country’s best beer, wine and spirit connoisseurs will lead you on a tantalising journey. The popular Cake and Bake Theatre is back too, much to the delight of Edinburgh’s sweet-lovers. From Burlesque Baking’s Charlotte White to artisan chocolatier Fiona Sciolti, you’ll be spoilt for choice. Aspiring little chefs won’t miss out either, as Kiddy Cook will be offering its fun-packed masterclasses at the Children’s Cookery Theatre and helping to make a visit to the festival an enjoyable family day out. Live music from the Unsigned Music Awards complete the festival atmosphere, which is best soaked up from a spot on the grass or at one of the pop-up restaurants, which include gourmet Thai cuisine from Chaophraya and authentic Scottish fare from Angels With Bagpipes. WHERE & WHEN Foodies Festival Edinburgh Inverleith Park, 5–7 August, from £10 Tel: 0844 995 1111 www.edfestmag.com

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TOP FIVE AT FOODIES FESTIVAL

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ADAM HANDLING The star of Masterchef and The Great British Menu is at the Chefs Theatre – watch as he demonstrates one of his gourmet dishes.

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1920s VIP TENT Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine in the 1920s VIP tent, sponsored by Simpson & Marwick.

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GALLEON MOJITO BAR GA A ship that serves mojitos? Yes, please! If you need to cool down after all that sampling and eating, the Galleon Mojito Bar is the place to do it.

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VINTAGE TEA TENT Visit our brand new spot, perfect for indulging in tea and cake – served the classic way!

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T UP THE HEAT TURN For brave foodies out there, the legendary ChilliEating Contest will put your taste buds to the test. Win the Chilli Eating Crown – if you dare! EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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W I N E, D I N E & SU NSH I N E

THE BEST OF THE FRINGE

4 J U LY – 31 A U G U S T

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Includes Mondays in August

To book, visit harveynichols.com/summerdining

Terms and Conditions apply

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FOOD MICHELIN STAR

Eat your heart out Edinburgh’s food and drink scene is bursting with tasty gems waiting to be discovered. Start your culinary journey by reaching for the Michelin stars WORDS LIDIA MOLINA WHYTE

21212 3 Royal Terrace www.21212restaurant.co.uk 0345 22 21212

Famous for his experimental approach to fine dining, acclaimed chef Paul Kitching has made his Edinburgh restaurant a place where creativity and flavour collide. The menu perfectly captures Kitching’s take on contemporary French cuisine, featuring wonderfully delirious concoctions that are a treat for the eyes as well as the taste buds. 21212 won its Michelin star in 2009 and has been at the forefront of Edinburgh’s gourmet restaurant scene since. Top dish The seasonal menu changes weekly, but a signature dish might be a tantalising lemon tart with glazed curds and blueberry compote – the perfect summer dessert.

THE KITCHIN 78 Commercial Quay www.thekitchin.com 0131 555 1755

Since becoming Scotland’s youngest Michelin-starred chef and proprietor at the age of 29, Tom Kitchin has gone on to write several cookbooks, appear on numerous TV shows, including MasterChef, and open another two restaurants in Edinburgh. His famous ‘From Nature to Plate’ philosophy reflects his passion for the finest, freshest Scottish seasonal produce. The Kitchin’s exciting menu combines his expert handling of fresh, local ingredients with his classic French training to create stunning, sumptuous dishes. Top dish Try the boned and rolled pig’s head served with roasted langoustine tails from Tobermory, a crispy ear salad and a gribiche cream. NUMBER ONE Balmoral Hotel, 1 Princes Street www.roccofortehotels.com 0131 557 6727

Clockwise from top: Number One, The Kitchin and 21212 www.edfestmag.com

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Nestled in a stylish basement below the iconic Balmoral Hotel, the emblematic Number One restaurant is a culinary crossroad between the classic and the inventive. The stylish eatery has retained its Michelin star since 2003, a testament to its commitment to gourmet dining. Head chef Brian Grigor transforms Scottish classics such as smoked salmon into mind-blowing culinary

experiences. August marks the start of grouse season, so you can expect to see Grigor’s famous game dishes on the menu from the Glorious 12th –the first official day of the season in Scotland. Top dish Finish your meal with the spectacularly reinvented Valrhona chocolate tart. RESTAURANT MARTIN WISHART 54 The Shore www.restaurantmartinwishart.co.uk 0131 553 3557

Martin Wishart’s eponymous restaurant is an Edinburgh finedining institution. Opened in 1999

and retaining its Michelin star since 2001, the recently refurbished eatery navigates the threshold between tradition and innovation with the confidence of a gourmet veteran. Wishart is a master of French techniques, honed during his training with renowned chefs such as Albert Roux, Marco Pierre White and Nick Nairn, and is an expert at combining them with Scottish flavours to produce truly stunning creations. Top dish In the summer months, expect the exquisite ceviche of halibut on the menu, always served with a twist. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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10% off Total bill quote

“ED FEST”

55 - 57 West Nicolson St

0131 662 4493 www.sylvestersedinburgh.co.uk

Fresh modern Scottish cuisine Open every day 11am - late during August Located near the Festival Theatre, George Square, Gilded Balloon Teviot, Underbelly and the Pleasance

Award winning Hewat’s Restaurant Open for Dinner 7 days during Festival 5 till 9.30pm Aberdeen Angus and Seafood Specialists 19-21B CAUSEWAYSIDE | EDINBURGH | EH9 1QF 0131 466 6660 | www.hewatsedinburgh.com

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Dine is Edinburgh’s acclaimed luxury brasserie, cocktail lounge and bar. Situated next to the Usher Hall, above the Traverse Theatre. Offering light lunches or gourmet dining experiences, menus are designed by award-winning Chef Stuart Muir using fresh, local and sustainable produce. Fine wines, champagnes and seasonal cocktails created by our team of top mixologists. Two course Lunch Menu £13.50 inc tea or coffee, Two course Pre Theatre Menu £14.50. A la carte available. Dine, Saltire Court, 10 (1F) Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED

RESERVATIONS -

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0131 218 1818

DINE E DINB U RGH.CO.UK

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FOOD SCOTTISH

Home to some of the best produce in the world, Scotland’s cuisine goes far beyond haggis -although there’s plenty of that too! BADGER & CO 32 Castle Street www.badgerandco.com 0131 226 5430

The latest addition to Castle Street has been inspired by the iconic children’s novel The Wind in the Willows – its author, Kenneth Grahame, was born here. The decor, bursting with originality and charm, is matched by a winning menu of classics such as bacon-wrapped scallops, along with the likes of crispy duck egg with pistachios and purple sprouting broccoli. Top dish The homemade pies are glorious.

THE MAGNUM 1 Albany Street www.themagnumrestaurant.co.uk 0131 557 4366

Clockwise from above: One Square, Badger & Co, and Restaurant Mark Greenaway

DINE WITH STUART MUIR 10 Cambridge Street www.dineedinburgh.co.uk 0131 218 1818

Scottish ingredients are honoured in Dine’s relaxed brasserie-style seasonal menu, while its dedicated champagne lounge – the first of its kind in Edinburgh – is the perfect place if you’re in the mood to celebrate with a glass of bubbly or two. Top dish Go for the halibut with salsa verde – delicious. THE DOGS 110 Hanover Street www.thedogsonline.co.uk 0131 220 1208

Quirky dog pictures, hearty food and a laidback vibe are the defining features of this very affordable Scottish cuisine hub. The menu is made up of staples such as the

Cumberland sausage stovies or the rabbit broth with spring vegetables, barley and skirlie, as well as more contemporary dishes. Top dish Try the pork belly stuffed with haggis, served with crispy fried shallots and a tasty gravy. FIELD 41 West Nicolson Street www.fieldgrillhouse.co.uk 0131 667 7010

Despite its casual approach to fine-dining, Field has been a firm presence in the Michelin Guide since 2014. Its unpretentious yet exciting dishes make for an utterly delicious dining experience. Top dish The seasonal menu changes regularly, but a Field

classic is beetroot-cured salmon with sweetfire beetroot, pickled cucumber, radishes and dill crème fraîche. FORTH FLOOR RESTAURANT Harvey Nichols, St Andrew Square www.harveynichols.com 0131 524 8350

Lunch or dinner here comes with a special ingredient: a spectacular view of Edinburgh’s stunning cityscape and the waters of the Firth of Forth. Traditional techniques are combined with modern flavours to create stunning dishes. Top dish Braised pork cheek served with grilled langoustine and a touch of fennel, apple and elderflower for freshness.

Tucked away in the New Town, the Magnum is central enough to walk to, but far enough away to feel transported to a rustic chic heaven. The menu is bursting with true foodie gems, such as the unusual but delicious seared pigeon breast with bacon crumbs, popcorn and sweetcorn purée. Top dish The meaty venison steak with black pudding and chorizo croquette, served with sweet potato purée and green beans. NORN 50 Henderson Street www.nornrestaurant.com 0131 629 2525

There was a great buzz surrounding concept restaurant Norn before it opened earlier this year. Thankfully, patron Scott Smith – a protégé of Michelin-starred Geoffrey Smeddle from The Peat Inn – managed to surpass expectations and establish himself at the forefront of modern Scottish cuisine. Named after an ancient language spoken in Orkney and Shetland, Norn’s menu is different every day. Top dish The divine carrots cooked in crab stock with velvet crab meat, sweet cicely, smoked sea urchin cream and sea buckthorn. ONE SQUARE 1 Festival Square www.onesquareedinburgh.co.uk 0131 221 6422

If you want a tailored Scottish meal, book the Dine at the Pass experience at One Square. Head chef Craig Hart and his team will create a bespoke seven-course menu, served with accompanying wines, just for you. Top dish The exquisite broken organic salmon, served with burnt onion purée, mushroom ketchup, spelt and baked celeriac. www.edfestmag.com

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FOOD SCOTTISH

BEER GARDENS

RESTAURANT MARK GREENAWAY 69 North Castle Street www.markgreenaway.com 0131 226 1155

THE BLACKBIRD 37 Leven Street www.theblackbirdedinburgh.co.uk 0131 228 2280

Soak up the sun in The Blackbird’s (above) stylish back garden, complete with fairy lights, heaters and a trendy summer drink list, including the tropical coconut daiquiri. THE CUMBERLAND BAR 1 Cumberland Street www.cumberlandbar.co.uk 0131 558 3134

The Cumberland (below) is home to an idyllic beer garden nestled under the shade of a willow tree. It has eight real ales on tap, along with a fine range of local and imported beers.

Talented chef and cookbook author Mark Greenaway’s eponymous restaurant holds 3 AA rosettes for Culinary Excellence and has been named number 13 of the top 100 restaurants in the UK by Square Meal. Top dish The Knot Chocolate Tart, which was featured on The Great British Menu, is a must-try. Served with custard jelly, frozen cookies, salted caramel and kumquat purée, it’s a taste of dessert heaven. RHUBARB Prestonfield Road www.prestonfield.com 0131 225 1333

Part of Prestonfield hotel, Rhubarb has a spectacular oval ceiling, lavish interiors and an electric atmosphere – the perfect backdrop for an indulgent dining experience. Be sure to check out the awardwinning wine list while you’re there. Top Dish The Orkney brown crab cocktail, complete with sweetcorn, seaweed popcorn and a pink grapefruit salad. THE SCRAN & SCALLIE 1 Comely Bank Road www.scranandscallie.com 0131 332 6281

A gastro-pub run by Tom Kitchin, of the city’s Michelin-starred Kitchin restaurant (see p.111) , the Scran & Scallie serves refined Scottish grub at its best. As well as pub classics such as quality burgers, you’ll find fresh oysters and chicken liver parfait with pickled cabbage. Top dish You can't go wrong with the tasty burger. WOODLAND CREATURES 260 Leith Walk www.woodlandcreatures.co.uk 0131 629 5509

The wondrous qualities that make this a charming little pub extend to its secret beer garden. The perfect hidden spot to enjoy a beer or two! THE THREE SISTERS 139 Cowgate www.thethreesistersbar.co.uk 0131 622 6802

Had a busy day catching shows in the old town? Stop off here for a reinvigorating pint in the sun, and grab a bite from the delicious BBQ grub. 114

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Above: Timberyard Below: Rhubarb

THE STOCKBRIDGE RESTAURANT 54 St Stephen Street www.thestockbridgerestaurant.co.uk 0131 226 6766

This stylish basement restaurant is a foodie treasure off the beaten track. Head chef Jason Gallagher and his partner Jane Walker have run this acclaimed eatery for 12 years, and the many accolades under their belts are a testament to their hard work. Top dish The unassuming finedining ethos is embodied in Jason’s popular lamb rump and belly with confit lamb and potato gateau, wild garlic, butternut squash and rosemary sauce.

TIMBERYARD 10 Lady Lawson Street www.timberyard.co 0131 221 1222

This family-run restaurant is the closest you’ll get to a gourmet glamping experience, without the overnight stay. The authentic brick warehouse (it was a lumber yard before its restaurant days) has a terrace for sunny days and a woodburning stove for colder nights indoors. Many of the ingredients are foraged or picked from the family’s herb-growing patch, and the menu changes with the seasons. Top dish The trout, mussels and fennel with coastal herbs is a summer favourite. TOWER RESTAURANT National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street www.tower-restaurant.com 0131 225 3003

For diners with high expectations, this rooftop restaurant (at the

top of the National Museum of Scotland) will definitely hit the mark. Drink in the unrivalled views of Edinburgh Castle while you sample some of the best of Scotland’s larder fashioned into light, modern dishes. Top dish J K Rowling’s favourite pudding – a decadent peanutbutter parfait with salted caramel popcorn and chocolate sauce. THE WITCHERY BY THE CASTLE Castlehill, Royal Mile www.thewitchery.com 0131 225 5631

Nestled at the gates of Edinburgh Castle, these historic rooms have a global reputation as Edinburgh’s most famous destination restaurant. The carved panelling, velvet drapes and exposed beams perfectly marry Scottish tradition with romantic baroque, a combination also present in the menu. Top dish Oban native oysters or the Kir Royale sorbet. www.edfestmag.com

30/06/2016 17:57

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Rustic Mediterranean cuisine by Jean-Michel, Morgan and their team.

Café Marlayne French Restaurants in Edinburgh | Open 7 days Antigua Street 0131 558 8244

Thistle Street 0131 226 2230

www.cafemarlayne.com

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FESTIVAL MENU 2 COURSES £14.50 12PM TO 5PM

“Gordon Ramsay’s Favourite Award winning French restaurant, open for lunch and dinner” During the festival we are Open 7 days from 12.00pm until 9.30pm Tel 0131 557 3032 reservations@lagarrigue.co.uk

31 Jeffrey Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1DH

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FOOD FRENCH

Top dish Onion soup with Gruyère croutons – can you get any more French than that?

Edinburgh has no shortage of Gallic eateries. From classic bistros to charming cafés, here’s the crème de la crème

GALVIN BRASSERIE DE LUXE Waldorf Astoria, The Caledonian, Rutland Street www.galvinbrasseriedeluxe.com 0131 222 8988

With a menu that combines French brasserie classics with the very best of Scotland’s seafood, the Galvin brothers’ second Edinburgh restaurant oozes joie de vivre. The Tattoo menu gives you the chance to taste the brasserie’s amazing dishes for great value, with two courses for £16 or three for £19. Top dish Try the Cumbrae oysters with shallot vinegar.

CAFÉ MARLAYNE 76 Thistle Street www.cafemarlayne.com 0131 226 2230

Blink and you might miss this tiny foodie gem, reminiscent of Paris’s back-street bistros. Café Marlayne captures the essence of the bohemian Quartier Latin: low ceilings crowned by chandeliers, upcycled furniture and an exotic touch added by the jungle-themed wallpaper set the tone for an intimate dining experience. Top dish The lemon crème brulée is a must try.

THE HONOURS 58a North Castle Street www.thehonours.co.uk 0131 220 2513

Martin Wishart’s second Edinburgh restaurant may be named after the Scottish crown jewels – aka the Honours – but its heart is most definitely French. Head chef Paul Tamburrini has known Wishart

CAFÉ ST HONORÉ 34 Thistle Street www.cafesthonore.com 0131 226 2211

Despite the fact that the majority of the ingredients in chef-proprietor Neil Forbes’s menu are Scottish, Café St Honoré is decidedly French in nature. An advocate of the Slow Food movement, Forbes celebrates simple, local and seasonal food with his exciting menus. Top dish Flaked ham hock terrine with organic coleslaw and a radish and watercress salad. CAFÉ TARTINE 72 Commercial Street www.cafetartine.co.uk 0131 554 2588

This new French dining spot is a great place to spend a laid-back afternoon. Soak up the relaxing ambiance as you marvel at the tempting open crêperie whose

flavours include the classic sugar and lemon, as well as modern inventions. Top dish The Bounty crêpe, which combines luxury Belgian chocolate with tropical coconut. CHEZ JULES BISTRO 109 Hanover Street www.chezjulesbistro.com 0131 226 6992

Descend to this charming bistro and experience a slice of authentic French cuisine in the heart of Edinburgh city centre. Candlelit tables, red gingham tablecloths and quirky artworks complete the décor, and the buzzing atmosphere is evocative of a Rue des Martyrs café on a Saturday afternoon.

Calistoga Restaurant The Taste of California in Edinburgh Above: The Honours, Below: Galvin Brasserie de Luxe www.edfestmag.com

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www.Calistoga.co.uk 70 Rose St. Lane N. Edinburgh. EH2 3DX Tel - 225 1233

• Californian Menu • Extensive Wine List • £12 Pre-theatre menu • Personal Wine Tastings • AA Rosette • 2 minutes from Assembly Rooms • 90% from "Scotland on Sunday" Review EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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FOOD FRENCH

L’ESCARGOT BLEU

WINE MERCHANTS

56 Broughton Street www.lescargotbleu.co.uk 0131 557 1600

L’Escargot Blanc’s slightly more rustic sibling has carved out its own impeccable reputation in the trendy Broughton Street. Its warm blue façade beckons passers-by, and its French character is palpable even before you go in. Sip on a Ricard or a Kir by the window as you watch the world go by and indulge in a deliciously authentic meal. Top dish Fresh Albaragus with Barra snails and jus de boeuf.

GREAT GROG BOTTLE SHOP 2 Dalkeith Road www.greatgrogshop.co.uk 0131 667 2855

This charming independent wine merchant offers a great selection of rare and traditional wines, beers and spirits.

LA P’TITE FOLIE 9 Randolph Place www.laptitefolie.co.uk 0131 225 8678

176 Bruntsfield Place www.oddbins.com 0131 228 1642

for over 12 years, and the pair have long worked together to produce unique brasserie influenced dishes that look and taste delicious. Top dish The poached lemon sole with Cornish oyster, smokey onions and slow-cooked egg is divine.

Oddbins in Bruntsfield was the first to open in the capital. The laid-back atmosphere makes it the perfect place for a leisurely afternoon of wine-tasting.

36 Victoria Street www.maisonbleuerestaurant.com 0131 226 1900

ODDBINS

MAISON BLEUE

North African cuisine has become as much a part of France as traditional Gallic fare, and Maison Bleue is the place to taste it at its best. After last year’s refurbishment, the Victoria Street institution’s façade shines brighter than ever, and its menu offers a wonderful blend of flavours you’ll struggle to find elsewhere in the city. Top dish The Marseille classic Couscous Royal, served with lamb shank, Merguez and chicken kemia. LE DI-VIN VILLENEUVE WINES 49A Broughton Street www.villeneuvewines.com 0131 558 8441

If the lure of fine quality, good value wines doesn’t draw you down to this trendy basement, the quirky quotes on the outdoor blackboard definitely will. VINO North West Circus Place www.vinowines.co.uk 0131 225 6998

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9 Randolph Place www.ledivin.co.uk 0131 538 1815

This sophisticated yet unpretentious wine bar sits in a splendid building that has plenty of intimate corners for romantic dining.

Above: The Pompadour by Galvin has views of the castle. Below: L’Escargot Bleu Although the food is delicious, it’s the seasonal wines that truly shine in this stylish spot. Top dish Indulge in a glass or two of the Château de Pamplona, a delicious summery rosé. LA GARRIGUE 31 Jeffrey Street www.lagarrigue.co.uk 0131 557 3032

Enter La Garrigue and you’ll be transported to the Languedoc. Like this sunny part of southern France itself, La Garrigue exudes bags of charm with its distinctly regional cuisine. A major draw is the wine list and its unique selection drawn from local vineyards. Top dish You can’t go wrong with the Languedoc cassoulet – a traditional confit duck casserole packed with rustic flavour.

La P’tite Folie might mean ‘the little madness’, but eating at this haven of French cuisine is a very sensible choice. The setting, a converted Tudor house, is bursting with unique character and is the perfect backdrop to dine in. The lively atmosphere, bustling West End views and friendly staff are just a plus. Top dish Steamed mussels with wine, bacon, leek and parmesan cream – an all-time favourite. PETIT PARIS 38 Grassmarket www.petitparis-restaurant.co.uk 0131 226 2442

This cosy bistro stands out amongst the bustle of the Grassmarket. Do not be fooled by its modest size and simple furnishings – the food is simply magnifique. Head to the ample terrace on sunny days and discover the perfect outdoor lunch spot. Top dish The Petit Paris stew, a staple of the menu for 18 years.

L’ESCARGOT BLANC

THE POMPADOUR BY GALVIN

17 Queensferry Street www.lescargotblanc.co.uk 0131 226 1890

Waldorf Astoria, The Caledonian, Rutland Street www.thepompadourbygalvin.com 0131 222 8975

The award-winning L’Escargot Blanc celebrates French cuisine in all its glory, but it’s the relaxed atmosphere and the elegant yet unassuming décor – which includes vintage movie posters, bottles of French liqueurs and candlelit tables – that make it stand out among the West End’s eateries. Try the recently added ‘bar à vin’ if you want a glass of wine over a cheese board instead of a sit-down meal. Top dish The escargots, as you’d expect, are to die for.

Ascend to this lavish dining room atop the Waldorf Astoria and marvel at the stunning views of Edinburgh Castle – once you’ve taken in the understated beauty of the restaurant itself. The Pompadour’s Festival Fireworks Dinner is a great way to make the most of the vistas, and a unique occasion on which to experience this French fine-dining heaven. Top dish Head chef Fraser Allan’s signature apple tarte tatin with crème Normande. www.edfestmag.com

30/06/2016 18:05

THE MAGNUM BAR AND RESTAURANT

LOCAL INGREDIENTS WITH MODERN FLAIR & CHARM A HIDDEN GEM IN THE NEWTOWN, EDINBURGH Here at The Magnum Restaurant and Bar we use the finest ingredients and work closely with local suppliers in Scotland to guarantee freshness and quality.

1 Albany Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3PY 0131 557 4366 info@themagnumrestaurant.co.uk Magnum_proof.indd 1

With our unique bar and restaurant areas The Magnum offers a relaxed dining experience with friendly and professional service at its core helping to create atmosphere unparralleled throughout Edinburgh. Good food, Good wine, Good times.

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FOOD FUSION

AIZLE 107 St Leonard’s Street www.aizle.co.uk 0131 662 9349

Aizle is anything but conventional. Instead of a traditional menu, talented head chef Stuart Ralston offers a monthly harvest, in which seasonal ingredients are combined to create a five-course dinner designed to blow your mind. The bespoke cocktail list also changes with the seasons and is definitely worth a look. Top dish The Szechuan pepper meringue with blood-orange sorbet was the highlight of our visit. BIA BISTROT 19 Colinton Road www.biabistrot.co.uk 0131 452 8453

Run by husband-and-wife team Roisin and Matthias Llorente, Bia Bistrot combines the earthy flavours of Ireland with French technique. Scottish and Spanish influences are also thrown into the mix, creating perfectly balanced dishes deserving of an AA Rosette for Culinary Excellence since 2013.

These dining hotspots combine different cuisines to create flavour explosions Top dish Try the cider-braised cuttlefish with bois boudran salsa. CASTLE TERRACE 33 Castle Terrace www.castleterracerestaurant.com 0131 229 1222

After a deluxe renovation, Castle Terrace’s status as one of the city’s most sophisticated restaurants has been reaffirmed. The state-of-theart interior is complete with a huge new kitchen, where you can marvel at head chef Dominic Jack and his team as they create exquisite dishes bursting with flavour. Top dish The paella ‘Castle Terrace style’ is something to behold. IRIS 47a Thistle Street www.irisedinburgh.co.uk 0131 220 2111

Thistle Street has no shortage of acclaimed restaurants, but intimate Iris stands out thanks to

its cosmopolitan vibe and AsianEuropean fusion food. From the Scottish flavours in the lamb loin and haggis to the Spanish flair of the garlic prawns, there’s much to tempt the palate here. Top dish Keep an eye out for the daily changing specials, and be sure to try the vanilla bean ice-cream.

THE POTTING SHED 32 Potterrow www.thepottingshededinburgh.co.uk 0131 662 9788

With flowerpot lampshades, garden tools on the walls and veggies growing in the middle of the room, the Potting Shed captures the essence of a farmers’ market. The food is rustic-grub-meets-gourmettechniques, and the result is an innovative selection of dishes ranging from kimchi to pizza. Top dish The treacle tart with pale ale ice cream -delicious!

NEW CHAPTER 18 Eyre Place www.newchapterrestaurant.co.uk 0131 556 0006

New Chapter opened at the end of 2015, quickly carving out a place in the city’s thriving restaurant scene thanks to word of mouth and positive reviews. The neighbourhood restaurant blends Scottish and modern European cuisine to create intriguing dishes, which always feature a twist. Top dish The popular hand-dived scallops served with pork belly and black pudding terrine.

REDWOOD BISTRO 1 Meadow Place Road www.redwoodbistro.co.uk 0131 281 2576

Stepping into this Californian style bistro will take you straight to the Golden State’s sandy shores. Despite its surfer vibe, Redwood’s cuisine combines American classics with Middle Eastern flavours, and is much loved by the city’s health-conscious foodies. Top dish Harissa-crumbed sea trout fillet with couscous tabouleh, almonds and tahini sauce.

TAKE A PEEK INSIDE WITH THE QR CODE

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FOOD FUSION

COCKTAIL BARS

Above: Aizle Below: New Chapter

TREACLE 39 Broughton Street www.treacleedinburgh.co.uk 0131 557 0627

A stylish bar-eatery on trendy Broughton Street, Treacle offers delicious pan-Asian food that’s far more sophisticated than the usual pub grub. The menu shows off the kitchen’s creative flair, but if you’re only in for a drink, try the cocktails – they’re just as inventive. Top dish Go for the Tskune banh mi, a Vietnamese-style sandwich with Japanese meatballs, a rumand-ginger glaze and coriander. TWENTY PRINCES STREET 20 Princes Street www.twentyprincesstreet.co.uk 0131 652 7370

Stunning views of Edinburgh Castle pour in through the grand windows of this elegant restaurant. The glamorous but not glitzy ambience

invites diners to sit back, relax and enjoy executive chef Tony Sarton’s eclectic menu. Top dish The chipotle and mapleglazed Iberico pork with piquillo pepper gnocchi and green beans. WEDGWOOD THE RESTAURANT 267 Canongate www.wedgwoodtherestaurant.co.uk 0131 558 8737

Designer Nikki Rennie was chosen at the beginning of the year to give Wedgwood a makeover, and the result is a striking interior that perfectly embodies owners Paul and Lisa’s relaxed dining ethos. Natural materials and wood finishes add an earthy touch to the elegant restaurant, which continues to be at the forefront of Edinburgh’s fine dining scene. Top dish Anything featuring Paul’s guinea pig haggis, inspired by one of his culinary journeys to Lima.

BRAMBLE

THE LAST WORD SALOON

16A Queen Street www.bramblebar.co.uk 0131 226 6343

44 St Stephen Street www.lastwordsaloon.com 0131 225 9009

Considered by Australia’s Bartender magazine to be one of the top 20 bars in the world, Bramble is a must stop for aspiring mixologists and cocktail enthusiasts alike.

Romance floats in the air in this low-lit Stockbridge basement. It’s the perfect charming hideout in which to escape the festival madness and indulge in a great cocktail or two.

DRAGONFLY

PANDA & SONS

52 West Port www.dragonflycocktailbar.com 0131 228 4543

79 Queen Street www.pandaandsons.com 0131 220 0443

Small, stylish and sleek, this Old Town cocktail bar delivers on innovation, flavour and atmosphere. If you’re feeling dangerous, try an El Diablo, a daring tequila and ginger ale concoction.

A speakeasy disguised as a barber shop, Panda & Sons oozes Prohibition era glamour. Chilli popcorn is free with each round, and the bamboo cocktail is a must try.

HEADS & TALES 1A Rutland Street www.headsandtalesbar.com 0131 656 2811

The stylish basement that houses this trendy gin bar is also home to Edinburgh Gin’s distillery, which you can see if you forego the intimate booths and sit at the bar. You can create your own cocktail as well, for a fun experience. JUNIPER 20 Princes Street www.juniperedinburgh.co.uk 0131 556 4901

Sit back and take in the stunning views of Edinburgh’s cityscape at this hub for innovative mixology. Tasty bar food is also at hand to nibble on while you sip your seasonal tipple. www.edfestmag.com

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La Lanterna Edinburgh

OPEN TUESDAY - SATURDAY 12:00 - LATE

83 Hanover Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1EE 0131 226 3090

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FOOD ITALIAN

AMARONE 12 St Andrew Square www.amaronerestaurant.co.uk 0131 523 1171

This contemporary restaurant and pizzeria on the corner of George St and St Andrew Sq has more than a touch of Milanese grandeur and style. Sit outside on sunny days for an even more Italian experience, but the interiors are stunning too. Top dish The prawn and smoked salmon risotto with mascarpone and lemon – simple yet delicious. CONTINI RISTORANTE 103 George Street www.contini.com 0131 225 1550

Run by third-generation Italian restaurateurs Victor and Carina Contini, this restaurant offers delicious dishes from ingredients imported directly from Italy. The beautiful interior – a former banking hall in the style of a Florentine palazzo – is as impressive as the food. Top dish The classic Contadino, with fresh picante sausage, porcini mushrooms and lots of parmesan. CUCINA 1 George IV Bridge www.quorvuscollection.com 0131 240 1666

Classic Italian cuisine is taken up a notch in this charming restaurant, where rich Italian flavours meet Scottish produce. Executive chef Mattia Camorani likes to push the boundaries, so expect the unexpected as well as the old favourites. Top dish From Camorani’s home region, the tagliatelle with pork ragu is excellent, as is his light and fluffy version of tiramisu.

From classic flavour combinations to modern reinventions, Edinburgh’s Italian restaurants have plenty to offer DIVINO ENOTECA 5 Merchant Street www.vittoriagroup.co.uk 0131 225 1770

Tucked away between the Cowgate and the Museum of Scotland, Divino is half rustic wine cellar and half stylish Italian restaurant. It’s popular for its refined cuisine with mouth-watering specials and fine wine selection. Top dish The swordfish ravioli with cherry tomatoes and Sicilian dressing is exceptional. LA FAVORITA 331 Leith Walk www.vittoriagroup.co.uk 0131 554 3430

La Favorita is a popular spot for relaxed Italian dining. The awardwinning pizzeria uses a woodfired oven to cook its legendary pizzas and serves its pastas with a healthy dose of gourmet style. Top dish The Campione di Scozia (‘champion of Scotland’) won pizza of the year in 2014. LOCANDA DE GUSTI 102 Dalry Road www.locandadegusti.com 0131 346 8800

Chef Rosario Sartore brings a taste of Naples to Edinburgh.

The traditional dishes of his childhood make up most of the unpretentious menu, which is bursting with authentic gems. Top dish The menu changes daily, but you can’t go wrong with the Neapolitan calzone.

ICE CREAM

NONNA’S KITCHEN 45 Morningside Road www.nonnas-kitchen.co.uk 0131 466 6767

Venture to the southern edge of the city and you’ll find this contemporary, family-run Italian eatery. The upcycled retro vibe encourages you to sit back, relax, and tuck in. Top dish The vitello milanese – a true classic. ORIGANO 236 Leith Walk www.origano-leith.co.uk 0131 554 6539

The relaxed, candlelit vibe makes this a great spot for a relaxed dinner or leisurely catch-up over authentic and delectable food, and a bottle of wine or two. Top dish The vegetarian Origano pizza – packed full of flavour.

AFFOGATO 36 Queensferry Street www.affogatogelato.co.uk 0131 225 1444

This amazing gelateria in the West End uses quality ingredients to make authentic Italian ice-cream on the premises. If you’re lucky, you’ll get to meet Epix, the famous shop dog, as you marvel at the spinning ice-cream display box.

SASSO 100 Lindsay Road www.sassoedinburgh.com 0131 552 2100

Head to Newhaven for a taste of Italy in this smart new restaurant. The décor follows a modern log cabin theme, complete with a real log fire and a stylish deck outside. Top dish The filetto di maiale – pork tenderloin with buttered leeks, beetroot and apple compote.

S. LUCA 16 Morningside Road www.s-luca.co.uk 0131 446 0233

The Morningside branch of Musselburgh’s S. Luca empire is a good place to sample the legendary ice-cream that has been combining the best of Scotland with the best of Italy for over a century. MARY’S MILK BAR

DANTE’S 48 Bridges Road www.dantesrestaurant.co.uk 0131 441 7427

This family-run restaurant in Colinton is worth a trip to the suburbs. The fish and dessert options change daily to reflect the best of seasonal produce, so you can expect fresh, quality dishes bursting with Mediterranean flavour. Top dish The bistecca tagliata – a 10oz Scottish rib-eye, served the traditional Italian way with rocket, parmesan and a drizzling of balsamic glaze. Main image: Sasso www.edfestmag.com

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19 Grassmarket www.marysmilkbar.com

This tiny shop in the shadow of the castle oozes retro vibes. Its fresh ingredients, traditional techniques and seasonal flavours make it a firm favourite on sunny days when all you need is a proper ice-cream to cool down. SCOOPZ 25 Nicolson Street www.scoopz-uk.com 0131 667 8789

A fantastic selection of sundaes, waffles and milkshakes await at this cool dessert parlour that’s full of sweet treats. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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FOOD SPANISH & LATIN

Share some tapas with friends, grab some tacos or try an arepa at one of these bustling eateries BODEGA 62 Elm Row www.ilovebodega.com 0131 556 7930

This taqueria at the top end of Leith Walk may be on the small side, but it packs a spicy punch. The world’s cuisines are wrapped up in corn tortillas and infused with fresh, hot and adventurous flavours. The menu changes weekly to reflect the best of seasonal produce, but you can always expect delicious food with a Mexican heart and plenty of international influences. Top dish The succulent bajastyle crispy cod bites, served with fried potato matchsticks and chipotle mayo tacos, are a winner.

EL QUIJOTE 13 Brougham Street www.quijotetapas.co.uk 0131 478 2856

Capturing the essence of a classic Iberian tavern, this eatery oozes rustic charm. The menu aims to give diners a taste of the authentic Spain, rather than just the triedand-tested tapas we’re all so familiar with, and everything is made using the freshest produce both locally sourced and imported from Spain. Every month sees a different ingredient honoured, from award-winning Payoyo cheese to little green Padron peppers. Top dish The Presa Iberica, an incredibly juicy Iberian pork shoulder cut, is a delicacy that’s not to be missed! INDABA 3 Lochrin Terrace www.edindaba.co.uk 0131 221 1554

Following the Edinburgh trend for small eateries that pack a punch, Indaba is Spanish at heart - with the occasional South African

C o c k ta i l s from just £ 3 .9 0

South American nt & restaura

r a b l i a t k Coc c

1 4 1 - 1 4 3 G e o r g e S t r e e t, E d i n b u r g h , E H 2 4 J Y 0131 226 2107 iguanas.co.uk www.edfestmag.com

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Award winning Mexican inspired street food celebrating our 5th year of business! Home to the ORIGINAL haggis burrito delivery in and around Leith after 5pm through:

www.loscardosonline.com 281 Leith Walk, Edinburgh

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FOOD SPANISH & LATIN

CLUBS

BOTECO

and Scottish inspired tapa making a delicious appearance to mix up the classics. Diners with dietary requirements will also feel at home, as owners Charlton and Begoña are very accommodating, and most of the menu is glutenfree. Top dish Aside from the arepa special, the Haggis a la Murciana puts a Scottish spin on a Spanish favourite. LASAL 6 Howden Street www.lasal.co.uk 0131 667 3600

This family-owned tapas bar combines the classic flavours of Spanish cuisine with modern techniques to create an exciting and enjoyable dining experience. LaSal’s relaxed bistro style makes it the perfect spot to catch up with friends while you share the tasty food on offer and sample amazing Spanish wine. Top dish If you want something different, go for one of the dishes from LaSal’s Navarre menu, which celebrates this little-known region between the Pyrenees and the Ebro river.

LOS ARGENTINOS 28 West Preston Street www.losargentinossteakhouse inedinburgh.co.uk 0131 668 3111

Not one for vegetarians, this friendly south-side restaurant is a meat heaven. Argentinians are just as proud as Scots are of their cattle, and this steakhouse definitely proves why. Prime cuts served with the country’s iconic chimichurri sauce are at the heart of the flavour-filled menu. Top dish The Tres Carnes gives diners the chance to try a bit of everything. SABOR CRIOLLO 36 Deanhaugh Street www.saborcriollo.co.uk 0131 332 3322

Nestled in a basement in the picturesque Stockbridge, the small but lively Sabor Criollo serves traditional Venezuelan and Mexican dishes. It has a well-deserved reputation for serving some of the best arepas, enchiladas and nachos in town. The list of Latin American beers and wines is also something to behold – ideal for a leisurely and fun dining experience. Top dish The Pabellon Margariteño – a delicious combination of poached fish with sautéed peppers, coriander, parsley and garlic, served with rice, plantain and black beans. SERRANO MANCHEGO 297 Leith Walk www.serranomanchego.co.uk 0131 554 0955

The Basement www.edfestmag.com

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The modern yet cosy atmosphere at this swanky eatery makes for a great dining experience. The menu consists of authentic Spanish classics like pil pil prawns, Manchego cheese and Serrano

ham platters - all best enjoyed when shared. Top dish Leave space for dessert – the churros are delicious. TAPA 19 Shore Place www.tapaedinburgh.co.uk 0131 476 6776

A culinary heaven with vaulted ceilings and an authentic Mediterranean vibe, Tapa sits at the foot of the Shore. Gourmet Spanish food is on the menu, so expect to see innovative, mouthwatering dishes that use the best Spanish ingredients. Top dish The Morcilla de Burgos – Spanish black pudding – topped with a fried quail’s egg is divine. TAPAME 19 Teviot Place facebook.com/tapameedinburgh 0131 220 6804

The latest addition to Edinburgh’s Spanish dining scene, Tapame offers unpretentious yet utterly delicious homely food. Try pairing your tapas with a refreshing caipirinha cocktail to top it all off. Top dish The Cochifrito – slowroasted pork with rosemary, jamon Serrano fat and apple juice with a touch of smoked sweet paprika. THE BASEMENT 10a Broughton Street basement-bar-edinburgh.co.uk 0131 557 0097

Vibrant, colourful décor, great music, authentic recipes and a creative cocktail menu make this spot a long-standing favourite among Broughton Street’s trendy joints. The guacamole is made to order at your table, and you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to the tequila options. Top dish You can’t go wrong with the sizzling fajitas.

47 Lothian Street www.botecodobrasil.com 0131 220 4287

Fresh cocktails and a chance to show off your salsa skills in a warm and welcoming atmosphere – the perfect recipe for a spirited night out. CABARET VOLTAIRE 36 Blair Street www.thecabaretvoltaire.com 0131 247 4704

Cabaret Voltaire may be a cave, but it’s a stylish one, spanning two floors and housing a trendy bar with retro tables and a grunge chic club. ELECTRIC CIRCUS 36 Market Street www.theelectriccircus.biz 0131 226 4224

A favourite among Edinburgh’s underground scene, Electric Circus (above) offers live music, club nights and even karaoke for those times you just have to belt out your favourite tunes. LULU 125b George Street www.luluedinburgh.co.uk 0131 225 5005

Tucked away below the smart Tigerlily cocktail bar, Lulu is a stylish nightclub with plush seating, enticing cocktails and a rainbow dancefloor in case you decide to let your hair down. SUPERCUBE 58a George Street www.supercube.biz 0131 226 4218

If you just need a good night of karaoke, there’s no better place to satisfy your desire to embarrass yourself than Supercube. Private rooms mean only your friends endure your singing skills, and the full bar will keep you going all night. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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hot fudge brownie

free chef’s dessert! WITH 2 MAINS PURCHASED

Present this coupon and receive a complimentary Hot Fudge Brownie with the purchase of two adult main courses. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotional offer. One (1) coupon per party per visit. Must be redeemed during same visit as the qualifying purchase. Only valid at Edinburgh location. Dessert varies by location. Some exclusions may apply. See associate for details. Offer expires 30 Dec 16.

free gift WITH £35 ROCK SHOP PURCHASE

Present this coupon and receive a complimentary Hard Rock Cafe® gift with a minimum purchase of £35 in the Rock Shop®. Cannot be combined with any other discount or promotional offer. One (1) coupon per party per visit. Must be redeemed during same visit as the qualifying purchase. Only valid at Edinburgh location. Gift varies by location. Some exclusions may apply. See associate for details. Offer expires 30 Dec 16.

ID:

DATE:

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FOOD STEAK & BURGERS

Carnivores are spoilt for choice with the city’s great number of amazing burger joints and steakhouses

THE CAMBRIDGE BAR 20 Young Street www.thecambridgebar.co.uk 0131 226 2120

This charming, independent gastropub offers great beers and homemade burgers that have acquired legendary status. You can pick and choose among the various tempting options to create a truly bespoke burger experience. Top dish The finger-lickin’ buffalo patty with camembert and cranberry sauce is delicious.

BREAD MEATS BREAD 92 Lothian Road www.breadmeatsbread.com 0131 225 3000

Bread Meats Bread is the latest addition to the growing burger scene in Edinburgh. It may be a newbie, but its reputation already speaks for itself, with queues often extending along Lothian Road as hungry diners wait for a table. In addition to the extensive burger menu, you’ll find a range of hearty sandwiches and cheeseoozing toasties to tempt your taste buds. Top dish The signature Lothian Wolf. Not for the faint-hearted, but utterly delicious.

THE HOLYROOD 9A 9a Holyrood Road www.theholyrood.co.uk 0131 556 5044

Don’t be fooled by this unpretentious pub’s laid-back vibe: the food and drink served here is among the best you’ll get in the city. The gourmet burgers are particularly worth dropping in for, and the selection of Scottish beers and ales is something to behold. A great option close to the Pleasance and its multitude of shows. Top dish If you like it hot, the Chilli Death is for you.

BURGER. 94a Fountainbridge and 91 Shandwick Place www.burgeruk.co.uk 0131 228 5367/0131 228 1429

If it weren’t for its focus on local produce, seasonal (and highly unique) specials board and trendy vibe, Burger. could easily be mistaken for a fast-food chain. Thankfully, mediocre chips, thin patties and soggy buns are not part of the amazing dishes put out by this unpretentious, good value eatery. Top dish Whatever the seasonal burger is when you pay a visit, it’s definitely worth a try. A side of cheesy chips will seal the deal.

BURGER MEATS BUN 1 Forth Street www.burger-meats-bun.co.uk 0131 556 7023

Hailing from Glasgow, Burger Meats Bun was one of the first punnily named burger restaurants to emerge in Edinburgh. With the up-for-a-challenge slogan of “Burgers. But Better”, the trendy eatery is a force to be reckoned with among the many burger joints populating the city. Top dish You can’t go wrong with the Beef, especially if you have it with the amazing mac-nuggets. BURGERS & BEERS GRILLHOUSE 192a High Street burgersandbeersgrillhouse.co.uk 0131 226 1214

Above and below: Burgers and Beers Grillhouse www.edfestmag.com

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Gourmet burgers and craft beers: it’s a marriage made in heaven. Especially when you add in the stylish surroundings, quirky décor and comfortable seating. With a menu featuring Aberdeen Angus beef, buns from a local French bakery and a selection of tasty side dishes, along with a range of local and imported craft beers (including a tropical coconut beer), it’s no wonder Burgers & Beers is such a hit. Top dish The signature haggis fritters go down a treat. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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SHUTTLE BUS FROM EDINBURGH Glenkinchie distillery will be running daily minibus services from Edinburgh city centre to the distillery. TRANSPORT AND TOUR FROM £20

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FOOD STEAK & BURGERS

CHALLENGES THE BOOZY COW 17 Frederick Street www.boozycow.com 0131 226 6055

The Boozy Cow’s chilli challenge combines both heat and size: one chilli burger, one chilli dog, chilli cheese fries and an Oreo milkshake to wash it down must be consumed within 15 minutes if you’re to gain a free meal and a spot on the Chilli Hall of Fame. THE CITY CAFÉ OX184

SHEBEEN BAR & BRAI

1 Rutland Street www.kyloerestaurant.com 0131 229 3402

KYLOE

184 Cowgate www.ox184.co.uk 0131 226 1645

8 Morrison Street www.shebeenbar.co.uk 0131 629 0261

‘Kyloe’ is an old Scots word for Highland beef cattle, and Highland beef cattle is what you’ll get here – supplied by some of Scotland’s top farms and butchers, and cooked to tailored perfection. A blend of traditional and innovative cuts is available, and an interesting wine list is a fine companion to your steak. Top dish Don’t miss the new chargrilled bavette with chimichurri and panzanella salad.

This trendy eatery in the heart of the busy Cowgate is a great place to grab a drink or two and enjoy some tasty food before catching a show nearby. The décor is industrial chic, and the music will get you in the mood for a good night out. The wood-fired grill ensures your steak is cooked to perfection, but you might be tempted by other menu options such as the unusual kimchi dog or the baby back ribs. Top dish Pulled brisket Reuben.

Sample traditional South African cuisine at this friendly meat joint just off Lothian Road. Make sure you’re hungry before you arrive – portions are huge and the food is too delicious to leave on the plate. Top dish The Joburger – a 1.2kg patty served in a 10-inch bun and toppings – feeds four.

THE ROSELEAF BAR

Broughton Street is one of the coolest areas in Edinburgh, and Smoke Stack is one reason why. Understated yet elegant, intimate yet lively, and hearty yet refined, this is a steak lover’s paradise. Top dish Any of the steak cuts or the beef burgers will do the job.

LEITH CHOP HOUSE 102 Constitution Street www.chophousesteak.co.uk 0131 629 1919

A new addition to Edinburgh’s carnivore scene, Leith Chop House celebrates all things meaty. The upscale, trendy decor is also extremely inviting, and the menu offers modern reinventions of classics. Portions are generous and flavour is a priority. The cocktail list is also very impressive. Top dish Start with the sticky BBQ ribs before you tuck into your steak. THE OX

23 Sandport Place www.roseleaf.co.uk 0131 476 5268

Head along to the historic Port of Leith to experience this popular wee bar and café. The familyrun eatery not only serves tasty, homemade food that’s full of wholesome goodness, there are also plenty of crisp pints, real ales and cocktails at hand to quench your thirst after a long day catching shows. Top dish The Royale with cheese is a classic.

49 London Street www.theoxedinburgh.com 0131 556 9808

Head to the bottom of Broughton Street for a gastropub that’s all about simple and straightforward cooking in cosy surroundings. A comfortable spot, The Ox is ideal for catching up with friends over a pint or enjoying a leisurely dinner that’s full of flavour. It’s also a popular place for Sunday roast lunch, with rib of beef and shoulder of lamb on offer. Top dish Try the treacle-marinated ox cheek with mashed potatoes Above: Kyloe and confit carrots. Below: Leith Chop House www.edfestmag.com

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19 Blair Street www.citycafeedinburgh.co.uk 0131 220 0125

In addition to its legendary Ultimate Burger Challenge, the brilliantly located City Café (close to the Tron, just off the High Street) will be running an Ultimate Breakfast Challenge during the Fringe, in case you wake up with an especially empty stomach.

SMOKE STACK 53 Broughton Street www.smokestack.org.uk 0131 556 6032

STEAK ON STONES 14 Picardy Place www.steakonstones.co.uk 0131 556 1289

Discover your inner chef with this interactive dining experience, where diners cook their own steaks on a hot lava stone. All the perks of fine dining – including great cocktails – are still at hand, but stripped down so you can sit back and relax. Top dish The ribeye is superb. STEAK RESTAURANT 14 Picardy Place www.steakedinburgh.com 0131 556 1218

This meat lover’s name speaks for itself. Paying homage to the finest cuts of Donald Russell meat, Steak offers a top-class dining experience in dramatic surroundings. Top dish The Sunday roast leg of lamb is as good as it gets.

THE OTHER PLACE 2 Broughton Road theotherplaceedinburgh.com 0131 556 1024

The Other Place is popular for its excellent great range of beers, flavoursome food and the Other challenge. A triple chilli cheese burger with a side of chilli cheese fries and onion rings must be gulped down in 20 minutes. Polish off your plate, and your meal will be free! TACO MAZAMA 38 Hanover Street www.tacomazama.co.uk 0131 629 1892

Facing the triple burrito challenge will make you feel like Adam Richmond in his glorious Man v Food days. To win the battle, you must finish a triplesized giant burrito in under ten minutes. If you’re quick enough, you can enter an eat-off to win a year’s free burritos! EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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Chop Chop Serving dishes they love in China

Finalist on Gordon Ramsay’s F-Word Show

91 Broughton Street, EH1 5RX 0131 557 8589 www.theolivebranchscotland.co.uk facebook.com/theolivebranchbistro

AA Rosette 2010 -2016 Voted Britain’s Favorite Chinese

THAI RESTAURANTS

AUTHENTIC THAI DINING, TAKEAWAY, HOME DELIVERY AND OUTSIDE CATERING

www.chop-chop.co.uk Edinburgh 248 Morrison Street, Edinburgh, EH3 8DT 0131 221 1155 Glasgow 43 Mitchell Street, Glasgow, G1 3LN 0141 221 9799

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6 TORPHICHEN PLACE, Haymarket BYOB only (for bookings: 0131 629 0447) Come and try our famous Pad Thai by Mr 9M! Lunch Boxes at £5.95, order 5 or more, deliver to your office door

Friday 2 Course Lunch Special at £8.95 12pm - 3pm

www.bluerapathai.co.uk

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FOOD ASIAN

STREET FOOD BAR SOBA 104 Hanover Street www.barsoba.co.uk 0131 225 6220

South-east Asian street food, tropical cocktails and a cool DJ make this trendy fusion hotspot in the city centre the perfect Friday-night hangout.

Expect rich Thai flavours, fresh Indian spices and more from Edinburgh’s Asian food scene CHAOPRAYA 4th Floor, 33 Castle Street www.chaophraya.co.uk 0131 226 7614

Ascend to this Thai cuisine heaven and indulge in an amazing gourmet dining experience while you take in exceptional views of Edinburgh Castle. A favourite among the city’s rooftop dining spots, Chaopraya celebrates authentic Thai flavours, but puts a modern spin on them to keep diners on their toes. Top dish The crispy duck salad is fresh and packs a punch – the perfect summer dish. CHOP CHOP 248 Haymarket Terrace www.chop-chop.co.uk 0131 221 1155

Chop Chop’s iconic dumplings are the stuff of dreams. Bearing the Gordon Ramsay seal of approval and holding an AA Rosette since 2010, Chop Chop is the place to go for authentic yet affordable Chinese cuisine. A far cry from the usual bland takeaway staples, you can expect fresh dishes bursting with flavour. Top dish You can’t eat at Chop Chop without trying the pork and coriander fried dumplings.

stop if you’re looking for delicious food bursting with authentic Thai flavours. Top dish The Dusit Curry features a succulent marinated sirloin steak chargrilled and served in a secret red curry sauce. KHUSHI’S 10 Antigua Street www.khushis.com 0131 558 1947

The first Indian restaurant to open in Edinburgh, Khushi’s still upholds its original values of fresh, authentic and delicious cuisine after more than half a century in the business. The traditional marinating techniques, the homemade cheese and yoghurt and the handpicked décor make this family-owned curry house stand out among Edinburgh’s Indian cuisine scene. It’s also very handy for shows at the Playhouse across the road. Top dish The stuffed tawa paneer is fresh and flavoursome.

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Above: V Deep Below: Chaopraya

CIVERINO’S 5 Hunter Square www.civerinos.com 0131 220 0851

Family recipes make up most of the menu at this Italian street food place. Expect hangover pizzas (yes, really), authentic flavours and good tunes.

V DEEP 60 Henderson Street www.vdeep.co.uk 0131 563 5293

This stylish eatery was Scotland’s first communal craft beer and curry bar. A menu comprised of 21 tasty plates designed to be shared offers an experimental take on Indian cuisine, with some interesting and lesser-known choices always on hand for those who want to try something new. Top dish Head chef Spencer Barrie recommends the pork ribs glazed with William Bros. Black Bill stout, chilli and tamarind. VOUJON

DUSIT

www.edfestmag.com

A Glasgow institution, Mother India’s Edinburgh incarnation is just as popular. Happily, many of the menu favourites are captured in owner Monir Mohammed’s cookbook, Mother India at Home, since you’ll want to replicate these amazing dishes after just one visit. Top dish The butter chicken is out of this world.

107 Newington Road www.voujonedinburgh.com 0131 667 5046

49 Thistle Street www.dusit.co.uk 0131 220 6846

This contemporary Thai restaurant in the city centre is all about fine dining in a relaxed atmosphere. A long-established favourite of both diners and critics, it’s a must

MOTHER INDIA’S CAFÉ 3 Infirmary Street www.motherindia.co.uk 0131 524 9801

Voujon serves traditional North Indian and Bengali cuisine from its contemporary home in Newington. Fresh ingredients, reasonable prices and friendly staff make it a great spot for a quick lunch or an indulgent dinner, and the 15% off for ticket holders from any show/ venue doesn’t hurt either. Top dish Try the trout cooked in butter and almonds. It’s utterly delicious.

TUK TUK 1 Leven Street www.tuktukonline.com 0131 228 3322

You’ll find some of Edinburgh’s best Indian street food at Tuk Tuk. The vibrant atmosphere, colourful décor and menu of small plates are all brilliant – and it’s BYOB. TUPINIQUIM Green Police Box, Lauriston Pl www.tupiniquim.co.uk 0790 888 6184

The long queue for this tiny Brazilian ‘restaurant’ on the edge of the Meadows confirms what Edinburgh foodies have known for quite some time: the glutenfree crepes in this amazing little police box are utterly divine. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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with top chefs

Laila’s is an olive grove haven serving an array of delicious dishes from the Mediterranean and the Levant

OPENING HOURS

Laila’s Bistro 63 Cockburn Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1BS tel: 0131 226 5097 www.lailas-bistro.co.uk

Opening Hours: 10am – 10pm 7 days a week

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Mon – Fri:HOURS 12am – 11.30pm OPENING Sat/Sun: 11am 12-Late Daily– 11.30pm

1 Antigua Street, Edinburgh, EH1 3NH Tel: 0131 556 8337 www.pomegranatesrestaurant.com

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3 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 2PW (just beside Edinburgh Castle) Tel: 0131 225 1329 or 07888 677 613 www.hanams.com Email: enquiries@hanams.com Opening Hours: 12pm ’til late 7 days a week for shisha, snacks, lunch & dinner.

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FOOD MIDDLE EASTERN

Tuck into delicious mezze dishes and taste authentic kebabs at these sumptuous Middle Eastern foodie gems

VEGETARIAN

BEIRUT RESTAURANT 24 Nicolson Square www.beirutrestaurant.co.uk 0131 667 9919

Tucked away in a corner of Nicolson Square, Beirut restaurant is the place to go in Edinburgh for an authentic taste of Lebanese cuisine. Creative and mouth-watering dishes from around the Middle East are served up in a stylish yet comfortable dining room, where friendly staff contribute to a warm and vibrant atmosphere. Top dish The shawarma chicken wrap is among the best you’ll find in the city.

DAVID BANN 56 St Mary’s Street www.davidbann.com 0131 556 5888

HANAM’S

LAILA’S BISTRO

POMEGRANATE

3 Johnston Terrace www.hanams.com 0131 225 1329

63 Cockburn Street www.lailas-bistro.co.uk 0131 226 5097

1 Antigua Street www.pomegranatesrestaurant.com 0131 556 8337

Just off the Royal Mile, in the shadow of the castle, is the awardwinning Hanam’s. It was the first of Jamal Ahmed’s restaurants to put down roots in Edinburgh, and its success was closely followed by Laila’s Bistro and Pomegranate. The menu features a broad range of Middle Eastern staples, but it’s the Iranian and Kurdish dishes that truly shine. Be ready for large portions and a bustling atmosphere, no matter what day of the week. Top dish Choose from either the Kurdish or the Iranian kebabs, which are cooked over the charcoal grill and served with generous amounts of luxurious pomegranate and dried berry rice.

The younger sibling of longestablished favourites Hanam’s and Pomegranate, Laila’s Bistro adds a vibrant Mediterranean strand to the others’ largely Middle Eastern menus. Its location, near the top of Cockburn Street, just off the HIgh Street, means the place is always buzzing, with regulars hoping for one of the cosy booths or the airy window seats. Although the kitchen offers several bistro classics with a decidedly more Western approach, it’s the mezze dishes that are the true stars of the eclectic menu. Top dish The baba ganoush with Iranian bread is an appealing way to begin your meal. And it’s BYOB, with no corkage charge.

If you’re catching a show at the Playhouse, drop in here for something to eat. The spacious interior is bursting with character, thanks to the bright décor, and the mezze are particularly recommended. Top dish The Borek, filled with feta and mozzarella, are delicious.

David Bann has been serving consistently delicious vegetarian fare to Edinburgh’s foodies for the past 14 years. Expect atmospheric lighting and a warm and cosy vibe to complement the menu, which features globally inspired gems such as the aubergine, chickpea and cashew koftas.

VERDO 21 Newington Road www.verdoturkishbbq.co.uk 0131 629 1337

What better summer meal than a traditional Turkish BBQ? Generous portions, delicious mezze and fresh salads are some extra bonuses on top of the perfectly tender meats on offer. There are also some great veggie dishes on the menu. Booking is recommended. Top dish The amazingly tasty Karisik Izgara kebab is a classic.

HENDERSON’S 94 Hanover Street www.hendersonsofedinburgh. co.uk 0131 225 2131

The vegan bistro atop the busy veggie café offers gourmet meat- and dairy-free fare. If you’re a vegan sceptic, there’s even more reason to pay this place a visit, as it will go a long way to changing your mind, KALPNA

YENI MEZE BAR 73 Hanover Street www.yenirestaurant.com 0131 225 5755

Despite the gourmet look of this stylish spot just off George Street, the family-run eatery serves Middle Eastern dishes with Mediterranean influences cooked the traditional way. The banquet meal is a great way to try a bit of everything. Top dish The Iskender chicken or lamb is a must try. www.edfestmag.com

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2 St Patrick Square www.kalpnarestaurant.com 0131 667 9890

This family-run Indian eatery on the south side has been serving some of the city’s favourite vegetarian dishes for over 25 years. Punjabi, Gujurati and South Indian flavours are combined to create balanced, great-value dishes that will take your taste buds on a tantalising journey. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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20% off 10, Gillespie Place EH10 4HS Edinburgh

0131 281 0526 harajukukitchen.co.uk

lu n c h a t Harajuku K i t c h e n with any Edinburgh f e s t i v a l / f r i n g e show ticket (Valid Monday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Friday)

Passionate

about Seafood 61-65 Rose Street Edinburgh EH2 2NH Reservations 0131 225 5979 157 Hope Street Glasgow G2 2UQ Reservations 0141 572 1405

www.mussel-inn.com

Passionate about Seafood 61-65 Rose Street, Edinburgh EH2 2NH Reservations 0131 225 5979 157 Hope Street, Glasgow G2 2UQ Reservations 0141 572 1405

www.mussel-inn.com

Hawkcraig Point, Aberdour, Fife Scotland KY3 0TZ 01383 860402 |www.roomwithaviewrestaurant.co.uk

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FOOD SEAFOOD

Dive into these seafood joints with as much glee as some of their staff dive into the Atlantic to catch your dinner

SUSHI

FISHERS IN THE CITY 58 Thistle Street www.fishersrestaurants.co.uk 0131 225 5109

The most central of the three Fishers venues in Edinburgh has been satisfying the city’s seafood cravings for more than 15 years. A great mix of crowd-pleasing dishes and more upscale à la carte options keeps everybody happy, and the welcoming atmosphere encourages you to linger. Top dish The fish and chips are legendary.

HARAJUKU KITCHEN 10 Gillespie Place www.harajukukitchen.co.uk 0131 281 0526

This bistro serves some of the best sushi in town, but it’s also loved for its wide range of elegant, unpretentious and authentic Japanese food. Above: Ondine Below: Fisher’s

LOCH FYNE SEAFOOD AND GRILL Newhaven Harbour, 25 Pier Place www.lochfyneseafoodandgrill.co.uk 0131 559 3900

Formerly a 19th-century fishmarket, this venue is the perfect host for a fish restaurant – with a fishmonger on-site in case you want to try your hand at any of the dishes at home. The trip to the outskirts of the city will definitely be worth it, as much for the impressive (although decidedly laid-back) décor as for the food. Top dish If you want to see how good Scottish produce is, go for the Loch Fyne langoustines. If you’d prefer something a little different, take a chance on the crab burger. THE MUSSEL AND STEAK BAR 110 West Bow www.musselandsteakbar.com 0131 225 5028

This restaurant’s name says it all, really. Although you’ll find other

tempting items on the menu (and the board of specials is definitely worth a look if you’re feeling adventurous), the mussels and the steak are definitely the way to go when you visit this Grassmarket stalwart, whose tables are spread over two floors. Top dish The kilo of blue shell mussels in a whisky, bacon and cream sauce is bursting with Scottish flavours. MUSSEL INN 61 Rose Street www.mussel-inn.com 0843 289 2481

Right in the centre of town, this busy eatery has been serving its homely, unassuming yet delicious food since 1998. It boasts a buzzing atmosphere and a terrace that is perfect for soaking up the sun on those rare afternoons when it makes an appearance.

Top dish Prepare to get your hands messy with the eponymous mussels, which come in a variety of sauces, each more adventurous than the last. ONDINE 2 George IV Bridge www.ondinerestaurant.co.uk 0131 226 1888

Settle in for a luxurious dining experience at this stylish eatery just off the Royal Mile. Fresh, unpretentious and delicious fish and shellfish dishes add to the gourmet feel of the restaurant, while the made-for-dining Oyster Bar adds a modern touch. Don’t miss the Oyster Happy Hour, which offers oysters for £1 between 5.30 and 6.30pm. Top dish The roasted shellfish platter and the grand fruits of the sea truly capture the essence of the restaurant. THE SHIP ON THE SHORE 24 The Shore www.theshipontheshore.co.uk 0131 555 0409

Dark-wood panelled walls, candlelight and nautical vibes give a romantic touch to this Leith favourite. The Shore is the perfect home for this fish and shellfish hotspot, as it adds a touch of authenticity to go with the delicious menu. Top dish The crustacea platters are an excellent way to sample the ethically sourced catches. www.edfestmag.com

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KANPAI SUSHI 8 Grindlay Street www.kanpaisushi.co.uk 0131 228 1602

Hiding behind the Usher Hall, this eatery celebrates what it calls “the simple art” of Japanese cooking. There are some real gems on the menu for those with a more adventurous palate. SUSHIYA 19 Dalry Road www.sushiya.co.uk 0131 313 3222

Small, sleek and stylish, this sushi bar on the western side of the city packs a punch. Healthy options are available, as well as some more indulgent gems like the tasty dumplings. YES SUSHI 89 Hanover Street www.yessushi.co.uk 0131 220 1887

Just a stone’s throw from George Street’s shopping district, this contemporary sushi joint offers fresh and authentic Japanese fare in sophisticated surroundings. YO! SUSHI 1st Floor, 78 Princes Street www.yosushi.com 0131 341 2062

Affordable, easy and tasty – three of the reasons why YO! Sushi is such a popular Japanese food hotspot. This venue is right in the heart of the city, so very convenient for a delicious Japanese lunch. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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LYNNE JASSEM FROM COMO TO HOMO 5-9, 11-14, 16-21, 24-28 Aug 14:15, £8 / £6, theatre

MADE IN CUMBRIA 5-9, 11-16, 18-23, 25-28 Aug 13:10, £8.50 / £7, comedy

Real-life story of a 10 yr old juggling her career on live TV in 1957 with demand of her stage mother and awarenes of gender dysphoria.

A selection of dark comedy characters welcome you into their unique world. Funny Women Awards Finalist & Brighton Comedy Festival Squawker Award Finalist 2015.

HELLA GRANGER - SUPERSTAR

GENDER SPANNER

21-28 Aug 14:25, £8 / £6, theatre

4-10, 12-17, 19-24, 26-27 Aug 23:35, £8.50 / £6, cabaret & variety

Hella Granger is the first white artiste to be signed to Motown. A rollercoaster story of her career, her life, her addictions, lost loves and her inexorable slide down a slippery slope.

Melbourne artist Jessica McKerlie explores gender fludity with a joyous and empowering burlesque cabaret that goes to the very core of what it means to be human.

TRUMPAGEDDON

POE’S LAST NIGHT

4-28 Aug (not 16 & 23) 13:05, £8.50 / £6.50 theatre

4-14 Aug, 21:20, £8 / £6 16-21, 23-28 Aug, 17:10, £8 / £6 theatre

Half a million people signed a petition to ban Trump from the UK, yet here he is. Immerse yourself in Trump’s world before he blows it to kingdom come.

Enter the fascinating mind of Edgar Allan Poe. Share the horror of his last hours and hear him come to life as David Crawford (of Dawn of the Dead) portrays Poe’s haunting story.

THE CULT OF COMEDY PRESENTS...

THE MAN WHO KNOWS EVERYTHING

4-28 Aug (not 16 & 23) 13:05, £8.50 / £6.50 theatre

5-28 Aug, 11:30, £7 / £5 children’s

An hour of pure entertainment from musicians, clowns and wordmongers. Showcasing the best the Fringe has to offer. Join the Cult. Seriously. Do it.

Imagine how much fun you could have if you knew everything! What’s the smelliest food? How could you get to the moon? And every story in the world! Featuring comedy, music, puppetry and magic!

ANY SUGGESTIONS, DOCTOR? AN IMPROVISED ADVENTURE IN SPACE & TIME

DRINK! THE MUSICAL

4-14, 16-21, 23-27 Aug, 15:55, £8 / £6 theatre A new episode every day! Fantastic improvised parody brought to you by a brilliant five-star team. Take everything in space & time and dive in! Geronimo!

Fun and full of laughter, this heartfelt musical will take you on an emotional journey full of the twists and turns of life living with alcholism. With original songs and the enthusiasm of a cast of 20!

PETER ANTONIOU - HAPPY MEDIUM

VIVALDI FOR BREAKFAST

4-15, 17-28 Aug 20:00, £7 / £5 cabaret & variety

5-12 Aug, 10:00, £8.50 / £6.50 musicals

Award winning stand-up comedian and mind reader Peter Antoniou uses his unique skill set to peer inside your head, fondle your frontal lobe and tickle your funny bone.

8-14 Aug, 13:20, £8 / £6 musicals

You’ve heard Vivaldi’s music commercially, but what do you know about him? What role did virgin girls and the inquisition play in his life. Hear his story and his music will never sound the same again!

Enjoy the best of the fringe at Sweet Venues and join in the conversation #SweetGrassmarket

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FOOD SWEET TREATS

AFTERNOON TEA

CAFÉS

ETEAKET

BREW LAB

41 Frederick Street www.eteaket.co.uk 0131 226 2982

6 College Street www.brewlabcoffee.co.uk 0131 662 8963

If you fancy afternoon tea without the fancy fluff, Eteaket is the place to go. That’s not to say it’s sub par – quite the opposite. The relaxed atmosphere only adds to the afternoon-tea experience, which includes sandwiches, clotted cream and raspberry jam scones and mini pastries. The iced tea is fabulous on a hot day.

Just a stone’s throw from George Square, this is the ideal spot to nip into before, during or after a busy day of catching shows. It serves some of the best coffee in Edinburgh, brilliant breakfasts and a mouthwatering selection of cakes and pastries.

MIMI’S BAKEHOUSE

123 Bruntsfield Place www.choctree.co.uk 0131 228 3144

THE CHOCOLATE TREE The Colonnades

63 The Shore www.mimisbakehouse.com 0131 555 5908

Three-tiered stands filled with a beautiful array of golden scones, scrumptious tray bakes, cupcakes and pavlovas as well as some great sarnies make the trip to Leith for Mimi’s afternoon tea worth it. All the classic tea blends are here as well as interesting concoctions like the super fruit, while the fully stocked cake cabinet has extra treats to take home.

THE COLONNADES

TIGERLILY

Signet Library, Parliament Square www.thesignetlibrary.co.uk 0131 226 1064

125 George Street www.tigerlilyedinburgh.co.uk 0131 225 5005

If you’re looking to indulge in a lavish afternoon tea the oldfashioned way, this is the place to go. The wonderfully stylish Colonnades, behind St Giles, offers a refuge from the hustle and bustle of the High Street. Its afternoon tea is a luxurious affair: flanked by grand bookcases, you will enjoy seasonal sandwiches and freshly made patisseries – and a glass of bubbly if you’re up for it.

This boutique hotel, bar and restaurant oozes style. After a day at the Book Festival or at the nearby Assembly Rooms, a luxurious afternoon tea at Tigerlily will restore you, and is a great way to sit back and relax while soaking up the vibrant atmosphere. Follow up your tea with something from the impressive cocktail list – the bar’s talented mixologists have put together some fine creations.

Edinburghers have long flocked to this charming artisan café in Bruntsfield to get their chocolate fix – so much so that you’ll very likely have to wait for a seat. But it will be worth it when you taste the delectable treats on offer, such as the ethical hot chocolates, and the organic homemade cakes and ice-cream.

CAKE AWAY ARTISAN CHEESECAKES

MADEMOISELLE MACARON

www.artisancheesecakes.com 104 Bruntsfield Place

22 Grindlay Street www.mademoisellemacaron.co.uk 0131 228 4059

Bruntsfield has no shortage of small cafés bursting with sweet and savoury goodies, but Artisan Cheesecakes has carved out a reputation as one of the very best. The handmade cheesecakes are created using the freshest ingredients, and, with over 300 daily changing flavours, you’ll definitely be spoilt for choice. On the go? Grab a milkshake instead – they are just as legendary as the cakes.

Tucked away behind the Usher Hall and right next to the Lyceum, this is a good place to pick up a gourmet sweet treat for your next show. The little bites are delicate works of art, handmade and in classic flavours such as chocolate or vanilla, as well as more unusual varieties (Innis & Gunn beer or ‘Scottish Whammy’).

GRAMS 16 Clifton Terrace www.gramsedinburgh.com 0131 337 3599

Grams, close to Haymarket Station, is not just for health nuts. Owner Lewis Gill infuses every dish with delicious flavours, all of which happen to be good for you. www.edfestmag.com

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In addition to the famous vegan cakes (free from gluten and refined sugar), the health boxes are a great way to grab lunch if you’re on the go. High-protein healthy fast food that tastes amazing!

CUCKOO’S BAKERY 150 Dundas Street www.cuckoosbakery.co.uk 0131 556 6224

Pastel tones and a cosy atmosphere create the perfect backdrop to enjoy Cuckoo’s outrageously popular cupcakes. Try the mystery special cupcake – flavours change weekly, but they’re always delicious.

TWELVE TRIANGLES

LOVECRUMBS

90 Brunswick Street www.twelvetriangles.co.uk 0131 629 4664

155 West Port www.lovecrumbs.co.uk 0131 629 0626

The people behind Lovecrumbs (see right) are at work at Twelve Trianges, a bakery specialising in homemade doughnuts – and they’re the best we’ve found in Edinburgh. Get your fix, add an artisan coffee, and you’ll be ready for whatever the Fringe can throw at you.

If it’s cake you crave, cake is what you’ll get at this delightful café: fluffy, blissful, indulgent, homemade cake. Adventurous flavours, such as rhubarb and lavender, as well as classics, make for a vibrant selection. The retro vibe is a plus. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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FOOD SPIRITS & BEER

WHISKY

BEER BARNEY’S BEER 1 Summerhall Place www.barneysbeer.co.uk 071 225 3660

Scotch Whisky Experience

THE BOW BAR 80 West Bow www.thebowbar.co.uk 0131 226 7667

Straightforward, old-fashioned and boasting a selection of over 300 single malts, The Bow Bar is a great place to experience Scotland’s golden nectar – the no-frills way. Snacks and pies are on hand to help soak up the alcohol. GLENKINICHIE DISTILLERY Pencaitland, Tranent www.discovering-distilleries.com 01875 342 012

A trip to the Glenkinchie Distillery on the outskirts of town is a good way to escape the Festival madness and see how a classic Lowland malt is made. Book a tour with transport there and back so you can truly enjoy the experience.

SCOTCH AT THE BALMORAL HOTEL 1 Princes Street www.roccofortehotels.com 0131 524 7142

If walking tours are not your thing and you don’t feel like investing a day in a distillery, the Balmoral’s whisky oasis is a great spot to gain a deeper appreciation of Scotland’s national spirit. Taste your way through an impressive selection of drams with the help and advice of the Balmoral’s knowledgeable and friendly bartenders in this warm, inviting space in the centre of town. SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE 354 Castlehill www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk 0131 220 0441

If you don’t fancy travelling for a distillery tour, you can still enjoy the

whisky tastings in the heart of the city centre at the Scotch Whisky Experience. Embark on a journey through the history of Scottish malts with the interactive tour and take the opportunity to taste your way through some of the very best drams. THE WHISKI ROOMS 4 North Bank Street www.whiskirooms.co.uk 0131 225 1532

Climb the Playfair Steps to the top of the Mound and reward yourself for your efforts with a visit to this award-winning whisky bar and restaurant. You’ll find spirit tastings, a shop full of hampers and a selection of malts to make your jaw drop, as well as a menu that makes full use of top-quality Scottish produce.

GIN

Beer connoisseur Andrew Barnett, who has been brewing and malting since he was 16, is the mastermind behind the artisan brewery in the heart of Summerhall. Try the Sorachi Ace beer – a popular Volcano IPA that will blow your mind. CALEDONIAN BREWERY 42 Slateford Road www.caledonianbeer.com 0131 337 1286

The 140-year-old Caledonian Brewery produces local favourite Deuchars IPA (on tap in many city pubs) as well as the summery Golden XPA. EDINBURGH BEER FACTORY 15 Bankhead Industrial Estate www. edinburghbeerfactory. co.uk 0131 442 4562

This trendy distillery injects Edinburgh into every artisan beer it produces. But the city isn’t its only source of inspiration: Leith-born Eduardo Paolozzi, one of the fathers of Pop Art, is also important. His beliefs about art meeting science have inspired the craft beer enthusiasts to create the Paolozzi lager - a must try.

56 NORTH

THE JOLLY BOTANIST

THE BEER KITCHEN

2 West Crosscauseway www.fiftysixnorth.co.uk 0131 662 8860

260 Morrison Street www.thejollybotanist.co.uk 0131 228 5596

81 Lothian Road www.thebeerkitchen.co.uk 0131 228 6392

If you’re looking to sample the very best of Scottish gins, try 56 North – its cocktails are the stuff of dreams. (It also runs tasting masterclasses.) Its Tanqueray Secret Gin Garden, a cool and trendy venue, is back this year for the Fringe.

You’ll feel you’ve stepped into a gin wonderland at this bar in the city’s West End. It has an amazing selection of gins from local and farflung producers, lavish furnishings with quirky décor and gin cocktails served in tea cups to set the mood for an enchanted evening.

As well as some amazing Innis & Gunn ales, including the aromatic toasted oak IPA and the rum-finish lager, this stylish, warm and comfortable venue serves a decent selection of craft brews from both local and international breweries. The gastropub food is also delicious.

DAFFY’S GIN

EDINBURGH GIN

1 Rutland Square www.daffysgin.com 0131 343 6695

1a Rutland Street www.edinburghgindistillery.co.uk 0131 656 2810

Daffy’s is an award-winning gin that’s so good you can enjoy it straight. In addition to the perfectly balanced flavour, the bottle itself is a work of contemporary art, sporting a stunning illustration by Robert McGinnis that’s worth owning for the design alone. The brand is now stocked by Waitrose and is well worth tracking down.

With a second distillery having just opened in Leith, there is no doubt that demand for Edinburgh Gin is at an all-time high. Sample it in the quirky surroundings of Rutland Street and you’ll soon see why it’s so popular. Look out for the brand’s Edinburgh Gin Garden at St Andrew Square and its Gin & Literature events at the Fringe.

www.edfestmag.com

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PICKERING’S 1 Summerhall Place www.pickeringsgin.com 0131 290 2901

The award-winning Pickering’s gin is made at arts venue Summerhall, which you can tour to get a better idea of how the spirit is made. Based on an original Bombay recipe kept secret since 1947, the gin’s flavours will take your tastebuds on a tantalising journey to past times.

THE HANGING BAT 133 Lothian Road www.thehangingbat.com 0131 229 0759

If its wide selection of ales and lagers isn’t incentive enough to visit this Lothian Road beer temple, the bat-shaped taps, leather sofas and vibrant vibe definitely will be. A cool hangout in which to sample some fine seasonal brews. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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Fishers in the city 58 Thistle St Edinburgh EH2 1EN 0131 225 5109

Fishers in Leith 1 Shore | Edinburgh EH6 6QW 0131 554 5666 www.fishersrestaurants.co.uk

Howie R Nicholsbyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s

21st Century Kilts 48 Thistle Street Edinburgh, EH2 1EN Closed Sunday â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Monday (By appointment only) www.21stcenturykilts.com

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CITY GUIDE SHOPPING

Chic & unique Seek out Edinburgh’s independent boutiques for dazzling fashion and one-of-a-kind accessories WORDS CHIARA MARGIOTTA

rinces Street used to be fêted as one of the best shopping streets in the country, but these days Edinburgh’s most interesting and rewarding shops are found elsewhere. If you want vintage treasures, designer cool or creative quirkiness, leave the big brands of the high street behind and take a wander down some of the city’s most historic and atmospheric streets. Thistle Street, the quiet gem parallel with Princes Street, between Queen Street and the upmarket George Street, is a good place to start. Pop into Biscuit, where the selection of classically cut clothing and accessories has been handpicked with the modern woman in mind. You can browse in civilised comfort too, as every customer is greeted with a coffee and a biscuit. A few doors along is Jane Davidson, with designer labels such as Diane Von Furstenberg, Alice Temperley and Canada Goose. It’s a long-established favourite with the well-dressed citizens of Edinburgh who come here for statement pieces for a special occasion. No outfit is complete without accessories, of course, and Pam Jenkins offers a wonderland of fine shoes and handbags from the likes of Christian Louboutin, Tory Burch and Jimmy Choo. Matching ancient Scottish traditions with modern Scottish creativity is 21st Century Kilts. This is the place to buy a bespoke, original and very contemporary kilt. Carry that luxury style through to the everyday at ALC, which specialises in stocking that elusive pair of perfect jeans. Enhance www.edfestmag.com

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CITY GUIDE SHOPPING 2 5 1

MUST HAVES 1 BISCUIT Star Mela Feni clutch, £95 www.biscuit.clothing 2 HANNAH ZAKARI Large five-bead necklace, £24 www.hannahzakari.co.uk 3 GODIVA Karen Mabon Chocolate Factory silk scarf, £110 www.godivaboutique.co.uk 4 PAM JENKINS Zayna 11 multi-colour wedge, £169 www.pamjenkins.co.uk 5 JACKET INFO Soaked In Luxury Shirley blazer, £65 www.kakao.co.uk 6 LAINGS Marco Bicego two-strand mixed stone Paradise earrings, £480 www.laingthejeweller.com

these with a little something from Kakao by K, the experts of downplayed style. Focused on Scandinavian trends not widely available in the UK, it’s a good place to pick up something that little bit more unusual. Junior fashionistas can get in on the action with Selenita’s range for children, which introduces fine, handmade clothing from top Spanish brands for ages 0-7. From Thistle Street, head down to laidback, charming Stockbridge. To keep kids on trend, pop into Treehouse, which is on hand to help with all those important firsts for your little one, from their first school shoes to the right gear for swimming lessons. For the grown-ups, meanwhile, minimalist store Dick’s has a carefully tailored selection of menswear, womenswear and homeware, all thoughtfully selected from designers with a focus on quality. Those Were The Days is vintage heaven – you’ll find a great range of classic, iconic and designer clothes here, for men and women. It also has a fabulous bridal collection, offering the chance to find something truly unique for your wedding day.

It’s a short stroll from Stockbridge to the West End, where family-run Frontiers Boutique has an original pick for every occasion. Minutes away, luxury lingerie boutique Odyssey is not to be missed. As well as a superb array of luxe designer lines, the store has a precision waxing service so you can get everything you need in one place. If you need a bit of bling to go with your new outfit, you’ll find quality, designer keepsakes at Edinburgh stalwart Laing Jewellers. Or head to the Grassmarket in the city’s Old Town and pop into Hannah Zakari. For bright costume jewellery that’s sure to get people talking, it’s a glorious sweetie shop of all things colourful, sourced from indie designers. Nearby is Godiva, which has vintage finds as well as beautiful handmade, ethically produced pieces from independent designers such as

“Seeking vintage treasures, designer cool or creative quirkiness?”

Karen Mabon – whose vibrant silk scarves finish off any outfit – and Edinburgh-based Rowanjoy. It’s a great place for something completely one-of-a-kind. Round the corner in Victoria Street is Walker Slater, whose talented tailors fashion traditional tweeds into elegant modern clothes. For fine silver pieces, move on up to Caroline Temple in Bruntsfield, where all the beautiful jewellery is handcrafted by founder and jeweller Caroline herself. In the same neighbourhood is Rosie Brown, a maker of intriguing, beautifully crafted silver jewellery. And on the way, make sure to stop into Totty Rocks, champions of independent Scottish fashion – they have even dressed Nicola Sturgeon! So, to find the best on offer, duck out of the madness of Princes Street and the Royal Mile and venture into some of Auld Reekie’s quieter side streets. And if you’re looking for a little extra inspiration, don’t miss the fantastic events that will be lighting up some of the city’s legendary venues at the Edinburgh International Fashion Festival, 23-26 July.

Biscuit Clothing, 22 Thistle St; Jane Davidson, 52 Thistle St; Pam Jenkins, 41 Thistle St; ALC, 61 Thistle St; 21st Century Kilts, 48 Thistle St; Kakao by K, 45 Thistle St; Selenita, 25A Thistle St; Treehouse, 10 Hamilton Pl; Dick’s, 3 N W Circus Pl; Those Were The Days, 26 St Stephen St; Odyssey Boutique, 39 William St; Laing Jewellers, 72 George St; Hannah Zakari, 43 Candlemaker Row; Walker Slater, 20 Victoria St; Godiva, 9 West Port; Caroline Temple, 154 Bruntsfield Pl; Totty Rocks, 45 Barclay Pl; Rosie Brown, 148 Bruntsfield Pl 144

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NATIONAL

BEAUTY AWARDS

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Teviot Place Tel: 0131 226 6777

Hanover Street Tel: 0131 225 7009

Bruntsfield Place Tel: 0131 477 3535

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Pamper party Whether you’re after a killer beauty look or an indulgent dip in a rooftop pool, we have you covered WORDS CHIARA MARGIOTTA

GLAM UP HEIDI & PEARL www.heidiandpearl.com 0131 629 6464

Heidi & Pearl’s blow-outs are the stuff of hair dreams. Drawing inspiration from top end magazines and celebrities, their experienced stylists are well-versed in the best way to make a trend work for you. Feel like your holidaying in the sun with the amazing Sydney Beach Waves blow-out. THE NAIL YARD www.thenailyard.com 0131 500 0985

This stylish nail salon embraces organic products to ensure each treatment is both environmentallyfriendly and bursting with natural goodness. The Margaret Dabbs Supreme treatment retains all the luxury of a traditional manicure, but adds a healthy spin. Perfect to give your hands and nails a stunning party glow.

SHAVATA BROW BAR AT HARVEY NICHOLS www.shavata.co.uk 0131 524 8388

Get your brows on point with Shavata’s superb treatments. The talented therapists utilise threading, strip wax and tweezers to ensure the best in shaping, as quickly and as pain-free as possible. Nip in for an Eyelash Tint and forget about melting make-up! LAUREN GOLLAN ACADEMY OF MAKE-UP ARTISTRY www.laurengollan.co.uk 0131 557 1401

Get out your warpaint and learn from the best at Lauren Gollan’s stunning new studio in the Arches. If your make-up routine is feeling a little dated, the fun masterclasses are the perfect way to learn top tricks to spice it up, from basic foundation skills to polishing your eyeliner game.

CHILL OUT LUSH SPA

THE BALMORAL SPA

uk.lush.com 0131 225 4688

www.roccofortehotels.com 0131 622 8880

The Lush spa experience is as unique and creative as the fresh, natural products they whip up in their own kitchen. Step into a true sanctuary of natural beauty and ultimate relaxation, and indulge in an innovative treatment or two. The new Tales of Bath, which includes a head, shoulder and body massage followed by a detofixying bath set to a bespoke soundtrack, is already a favourite.

The Balmoral Spa exudes pure luxury. Expert pamper artists guide you through the lavish experience, which is complete with vitaminenriched products, cutting-edge gym equipment and swimming pool. The Spiezia Detox Body Treatment will leave your skin, smooth, soft and glowing. ONE SPA AT THE SHERATON HOTEL www.onespa.com 0131 221 7777

One Spa’s wide range of facilities include a thermal suite and a rooftop infinity-edge Hydropool with unparalleled views across the city. The Holistic Back, Face & Scalp Treatment with Hot Stones is a true all-rounder to relieve tension -perfect to escape the hustle and bustle of the festival for a couple of heavenly hours. www.edfestmag.com

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Clockwise from top: One Spa and Lush

GUERLAIN SPA AT THE WALDORF ASTORIA www.hiltoncaledonianedinburgh.com 0131 222 8836

Craving some well-deserved me time? Sophisticated, stunning and stylish, the Guerlain spa is the perfect spot to indulge in a truly pampering experience. Redefine and tone your figure with the Slim and Firm Silhouette treatment, which includes a body scrub, a massage, and a cocooning wrap.

CASTLE THAI SPA www.castlethaispa.com 0131 629 0794

Let the experts at Castle Thai Spa work their magic on your aching muscles for a truly relaxing experience that will leave you feeling revitalised. Get your skin sun-ready by combining one of their signature massages with the Thai Lime & Ginger Body Scrub to slough away tired, dead skin and reveal a softer, more glowing you. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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In the words of famous painter Henri Matisse, “creativity takes courage”, and this year’s artists are as bold and brave as they come ALICE NEEL: THE SUBJECT AND ME

ARTIST ROOMS: JOSEPH BEUYS DRAWINGS

Talbot Rice Gallery 29 July - 8 October 2016

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (Modern Two) 30 July – 16 October 2016

The Subject and Me is the first solo exhibition of Alice Neel in Scotland. It constitutes the latest in a series promoting the work of leading women artists, previously including Jane and Louise Wilson, Hanne Darboven and Rosemarie Trockel.

This exhibition brings together, for the first time, a group of over 110 drawings by Beuys. The drawings cover the whole of the artist’s life, reflecting his interest in nature, science, philosophy, mythology, society, politics and religion.

ALT-W | ALT-W: BLUSH RESPONSE

BARBARA RAE: RETURN JOURNEY

New Media Scotland with Travelling Gallery 28 July – 28 August

Open Eye Gallery 1 August- 31 August

NEO BRUTES by Dennis & Debbie Club is a 360° VR installation that re-imagines remnants of Scottish Brutalist architecture as the headquarters for a utopian movement. Work by Torsten Lauschman and Charles Young.

This major exhibition of works by Royal Academician, Barbara Rae, charts her celebrated creativity, including recent ventures to remote areas of northern Canada, and the islands along Canada’s North West Passage. See feature on p.106

BEVERLEY HOOD: EIDOLON Edinburgh College of Art 12—21 August 2016

Beverley Hood’s new project Eidolon, explores the relationship between the body and technology, and the effect it has on our perception of what it means to be human and alive. CAROLINE MESQUITA Jupiter Artland 30 July – 25 September

Sited within a tranquil wood, alongside the duck pond, this work - Mesquita’s first solo institutional exhibition in the UK – will see the staging of a congregation of figurines around a collection of sculptural objects, with fragments and artefacts imitating a meteorite's aftermath. CELTS National Museum of Scotland 10 March - 25 September 2016

This major exhibition, organised with the British Museum, unravels the complex story of the different peoples we call ‘Celts’ through their extraordinary art objects. CHRISTIAN BOLTANSKI: SOMBRAS, LES ARCHIVES DU COEUR AND ANIMITAS Jupiter Artland 4 August – 25 September 2016

Boltanski will present two installations in The Steadings Gallery and The Tin Roof Gallery as well as

his first permanent installation in the UK. From Japanese bells attached to long stems and planted in the ground, to theatrical projections and recording heartbeats, each exhibition is a work of art in itself, and definitely worth a visit. CONVERSATIONS Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop 16 July - 31 August 2016

Giving voice to the things around us, artist and comedian Siân Robinson Davies will develop Conversations, a series of scripted dialogues between objects and concepts into an audio installation that promises to be a sensory experience. DAMIÁN ORTEGA The Fruitmarket Gallery 9 July – 23 October 2016

Ortega’s work takes many shapes and forms – from sculpture installation, to film, to photography. This exhibition promises to be a revelatory, immersive experience, as the artist uses brick, clay and Styrofoam to carve new stunning landscapes into the Fruitmarket Gallery.

Julia McNairn White 29th July - 3rd September 2016

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overlooked artist anticipated and influenced many of the practices associated with Impressionism. JENNIFER BAILEY: WILL I MAKE A GOOD FATHER, MOTHER, SISTER? Collective 9 July – 4 September 2016

Clockwise from top: Donovan and Siegel, Damián Ortega and Caroline Mesquita

Jennifer Bailey’s practice explores and questions the permeability of art production to patriarchal structures, desire, capital and paid work. Her art also conducts an investigation into the visual codes that constitute authenticity. This exhibition is part of Collective’s Satellites Programme 2016. JESS JOHNSON: ECLECTRC PANOPTIC Talbot Rice Gallery 29 July - 8 October 2016

DONOVAN & SIEGEL

HAYLEY TOMPKINS

Edinburgh Printmakers 29 July – 22 October 2016

Jupiter Artland 30 July – 25 September

Matt Donovan and Hallie Siegel explore how the legacy of print shapes how we communicate – even as we launch ourselves into a digital future. Merging sculpture, graphic design, and storytelling, they create hybrid objects that embody print yet defy simple classification.

Glasgow-based artist Hayley Tompkins will exhibit a new work for Jupiter Artland. Using familiar and ordinary objects, Tompkins’ works explores the language of paint and the experience of the ready-made using familiar and commonplace objects. For the artist’s first presentation at Jupiter Artland, Tompkins will produce a new floor based installation using paint and image for The Tin Roof Gallery.

EDINBURGH COLLEGE OF ART MASTERS DEGREE SHOW 2016 Edinburgh College of Art 12—21 August 2016

Edinburgh College of Art’s campus comes alive with a wide range of work by staff, students and guests. FACING THE WORLD: SELF-PORTRAITS FROM REMBRANDT TO AI WEIWEI Scottish National Portrait Gallery 16 July – 16 October 2016

This exhibition presents an exciting selection of portraits in various media spanning six centuries, from Rembrandt to Ai Weiwei’s Instagram posts. Now, the topic is more relevant than ever, as social media thrives on self-portraits and continual presentation of self. See feature on p.104 GOULASH The Number Shop 28 July – 28 August 2016

The Number Shop presents Goulash, their hot and heavy summer stew. Showcasing new work from their studio residents their ingredients are performance, ceramics, printmaking, sculpture, painting, sound, photography and all things nice. www.edfestmag.com

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I STILL BELIEVE IN MIRACLES Inverleith House 23 July – 23 October 2016

I still believe in miracles celebrates the thirtieth anniversary of Inverleith House, which has included some of the most memorable exhibitions ever staged in the UK. The exhibition features major works by leading artists based in Scotland and abroad who have made highly acclaimed solo exhibitions for the gallery over its history. The title is taken from a text work created by Douglas Gordon which has been on permanent display in the gallery since 2005.

As part of the TRG3 programme, Talbot Rice Gallery hosts the first solo show in Europe of New Zealandborn, New York-based artist Jess Johnson. Comprised of drawings, tessellating patterns and virtual reality technology, it's a bridging portal into another realm.

JO SPENCE Stills, Centre for Photography 29 July - 15 October

An exhibition of work by the British photographer Jo Spence (1934-92), bringing together different aspects of her practice from the 1970s and 1980s. JONATHAN OWEN Ingleby 28 July – 28 August 2016

Jonathan Owen is interested in making by reducing and removing, and in the controlled collapse of existing objects as a method of production and reactivation. While delicately examining the essential qualities of what was there, Owen skilfully presents the viewer with a curious and unexpected new form. THE MIRACULOUS Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop 4 June – 31 August 2016

Working with designers Maeve Redmond and Sophie Dyer, Raphael Rubinstein will transpose short narratives The Miraculous into an installation permeating the Sculpture Workshop.

Time for Tiffin August 5th - 29th 2016

A selling exhibition of kitchenalia old and new, exploring the culinary traditions of India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

INSPIRING IMPRESSIONISM: DAUBIGNY, MONET AND VAN GOGH Scottish National Gallery 25 June – 2 October 2016

A key figure in the development of nineteenth-century French landscape painting, Charles François Daubigny (1817-1878) has never been the subject of a major international exhibition. This show will show how this relatively

21 St Leonard's Lane Edinburgh,EH8 9SH 0131 662 1612 info@nomadstent.co.uk mon- sat 10-5 sun 12-4

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PAINTING PARADISE: THE ART OF THE GARDEN

STILL LIFE WITH FLYING OBJECTS

The Queen's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse 5 August 2016 – 19 February 2017

Rhubaba 30 July – 28 August 2016

This exhibition reveals the way in which gardens have been celebrated in art across four centuries. Bringing together paintings, botanical studies, drawings, books, manuscripts and decorative arts, the exhibition explores the changing character of the garden from the 16th to the early 20th century. REPRODUCTIVE!

APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR 2016/17 Art & Spirituality Contemporary Art Practice Critical & Professional Development Drawing Figurative Foundation Graduate Studies Landscape One Day Painting Painting Printmaking

www.LeithSchoolofArt.co.uk

enquiries@LeithSchoolofArt.co.uk | 0131 554 5761

Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop 30 July – 31 August 2016

Reproductive! is an exciting exhibition showcasing a wealth of new work from acclaimed Scottish sculptor Kenny Hunter. The collection tests the potential of digital technologies and their relationship to existing processes of production. THE SCOTTISH ENDARKENMENT: ART AND UNREASON 1945 TO THE PRESENT Dovecot Gallery 13 May - 29 August 2016

The Scottish Endarkenment presents a comprehensive and complex approach to the challenging concerns which have obsessed many of the most important and innovative Scottish artists since the end of World War Two.

PITTENWEEM ARTS FESTIVAL 6-14 August Christine

Borland Philomena

Pretsell

SIMON AND TOM BLOOR: VIEWING STRUCTURE FOR THE CITY OBSERVATORY Collective Throughout August 2016

Collective are working with artists Simon and Tom Bloor to create a sculptural viewing tower to look into the City Observatory site while it is in its initial stages of development during August 2016. Simon and Tom Bloor’s works and projects focus on our often ambivalent relationship to the structures of public space.

Rhubaba presents, Still life with flying objects, a group exhibition that brings together new and existing work by artists including Tim Dodds, Emma Hart and Susan Mowatt. The artworks in the show ask questions of the objects that we surround ourselves with. SURREAL ENCOUNTERS: COLLECTING THE MARVELLOUS Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art 4 June – 11 September 2016

This exhibition will bring together some of the finest surrealist works of art from four legendary private collections, those of Edward James, Roland Penrose, Gabrielle Keiller and Ulla and Heiner Pietzsch. It will examine the different impulses behind these collections and present a fuller and richer picture of the surrealist movement. TAYLOR WESSING PHOTOGRAPHIC PORTRAIT PRIZE 2015 Scottish National Portrait Gallery 18 June – 2 October 2016

The Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize is the leading competition to celebrate and promote the very best in contemporary portrait photography from around the world. Marvel at amazing and innovative portraits from the best fresh talent. WILLIAM GILLIES & JOHN MAXWELL City Art Centre 30 July – 23 October 2016

William Gillies & John Maxwell traces the careers of these two distinctive 20th century Scottish artists, exploring the parallel development of their work and their enduring friendship.

Nerine

Tassie over 100 artists

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PLACE OF PILLARS RUTH BARKER The Scottish National Portrait Gallery 5 August 2016

Place of Pillars (2016) is a new spoken word artwork by Ruth Barker commissioned by ATLAS Arts. Composed as a live performance that will also be released as a downloadable podcast, it is a poetic monologue. SUPPORTING ACT DOK Artist Space 28 July - 4 August 2016

P+P Pack and Send 20th August - 26th August

Clockwise from top: Taylor Wessing, Jock McFadyen and Simon & Tom Bloor

POP-UP EXHIBITIONS & EVENTS AND TO YOU Fountain Close 30 - 31 July 2016

A sound installation. Tapping into a past cultural vernacular that relates to Edinburgh’s cultural activities over this period, vernacular mutation and key concerns of the artist’s own practise. BARTHOLOMEW'S WALTZ Gayfield Creative Venues 9 – 14 August 2016

BART WALTZ collective are staging a week-long exhibition at Gayfield Creative Spaces which will examine the endurance of the past in the present through social celebration. THE CLOCK IN COMMUNE The Glasite House 11 - 14 August 2016

A multi-screen video installation developed by artist Helen McCrorie for The Glasite House, an A-listed former worship house of the Glasite religious sect. This expanded documentary film depicts contemporary communities of men in Scotland, conducting ancient rites. CONATUS TV Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop 27 August 2016

A screening programme of artists’ moving image work selected by the artist Kimberley O’Neill – 2016 Artist in Residence at The Telfer www.edfestmag.com

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Gallery. It considers how subjective experiences of attention and desire are manifested through media technologies – a theme related to O’Neill's new work.

Artist-run collective place + platform host P+P, a group exhibition of national and international artists in the basement of Pack and Send. Each artist has been sent a 30x30x30 cardboard box and asked to use it as the basis for creating or sending a new art work.

‘Supporting Act’ is a site-specific installation bringing together works by Baha Görkem Yalim and Petter Yxell and engaging with the position of the sideshow. THE WALKING INSTITUTE Drill Hall and Summerhall 11-12 August 2016

On 11/12 August, Deveron Arts’ Walking Institute will draw together a number of artists and projects, through the common theme of slow travel. Created to explore and celebrate human pace.

CONCRETE Scottish Poetry Library 28 July - 24 September 2016

Drawing on the Scottish Poetry Library Special Collections, this exhibition will explore the influence of art on the development of the Concrete Poetry movement in the 1950s and 1960s. MAP PRESENTS: ENDNOTES Edinburgh College of Art 13 August 2016

Edinburgh’s famous fossil shop. Fossils, minerals, meteorites and jewellery from around the world.

‘Endnotes’ is part of the MAP ‘Footnoting the Archive’ project curated by guest editors Suzanne van der Lingen and Claire Walsh. New work by four artists and researchers will be presented. THE OLD MECHANICS Studio Visits: Various venues 28 July - 28 August 2016

“The Old Mechanics” is a new research project by artist Oliver Braid investigating the uses of art and the value of utility. Oliver will hold a series of informal studio visits around the city with people who ‘became artists’ after retiring from employment. Members of the public are invited to join these visits.

Mr Wood’s Fossils 5 Cowgatehead Edinburgh EH1 1JY 0131 220 1344 shop@mrwoodsfossils.co.uk www.mrwoodsfossils.co.uk EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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Music is the universal language of the world and few speak it better than these acts THE AFRICAN DREAM MUSICAL

ANOHNI: HOPELESSNESS

C South 4–29 August, 3pm

Edinburgh Playhouse 17 and 18 August, 8pm

Spectacular costumes and gorgeous African harmonies in a musical story of modern South Africa, its people, and aspirations.

ANOHNI has re-emerged with the album Hopelessness which she performs here with the help of Oneohtrix Point Never and Hudson Mohawke.

AFRO-LATIN FUNK WITH POCION DE FE The Jazz Bar 11, 16, 22, 25 and 28 August, 12am

Repeated midnight visits for the seven-piece band with an infectious blend of Caribbean rhythms, Cuban salsa and African mambo. ALAN CUMMING SINGS SAPPY SONGS!

ANTONIO FORCIONE AND SARAH JANE MORRIS Assembly George Square Studios 23–29 August, 6.30pm

The guitar virtuoso joins forces with the singer famed for her contribution to the Communard’s Don’t Leave Me This Way in a marvellous performance. ARTURO TAPPIN: SAXMAN

Hub 6–27 August (not 14, 15, 22), times vary

Outhouse 19–28 August, 9pm

A hedonistic late-night cabaret with favourite songs by Noël Coward, Stephen Sondheim, Lady Gaga and Katy Perry. See feature on p.14

The Barbados saxophone player’s CV includes stints with Roberta Flack, Luther Vandross, Eddy Grant and Maxi Priest.

BARRY HUMPHRIES: WEIMAR CABARET Usher Hall 8 and 9 August, 7.30pm

No hint of Dame Edna here as Humphries reveals his passion for the cabaret songs of Weill, Eisler and others. He’ll be doing so in the company of the Australian Chamber Orchestra and the transgressive performer Meow Meow.

COLIN HAY: GET RID OF THE MINSTREL

BRIAN KELLOCK TRIO: UNSATURATED FATS

Gilded Balloon 15–28 August, 10.30pm

Jazz Bar 11, 18, 23–25 August, times vary

Having made his name in the 1980s with Men at Work, Hay has become a celebrated storyteller as well as a gifted singer/songwriter. Performing with a multinational band, he offers a highly entertaining night of laughter and music.

A celebration of the music and exuberant style of Fats Waller, featuring favourites such as Ain’t Misbehavin’ and Honeysuckle Rose. BLAZIN’ FIDDLES Queen’s Hall 17 August, 8pm

Fiery fiddles from the Scottish favourites who draw tunes from across the nation. BLUES BROTHERS C Scala 3-29 August, 10.20pm

The high energy show is back by popular demand, with more rhythm’n’blues than ever before. THE CABINET OF DOCTOR CALIGARI WITH LIVE SCORE Leith Depot 26 and 27 August, 8pm

Jazz guitarist and composer Graeme Stephen performs with a trio of guitar, bass and drums while the silent horror classic plays. CAMILLE O’SULLIVAN: THE CARNY DREAM Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows 4–22 August (not 10, 15), 8.30pm

The fringe favourite returns with a refreshed repertoire of songs by Nick Cave, David Bowie, Arcade Fire and Radiohead. See feature on p.58

CONFESSIONS OF A JUSTIFIED SONGWRITER Assembly Checkpoint 4–20 August and 24–28 August (every other day), 4.05pm

Premiere of a musical performed by theatre students from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland about a group of wannabe stars. COSI FAN TUTTE Festival Theatre 25, 27 and 28 August, times vary

Mozart’s comic opera as staged by multitalented director Christophe Honoré. The cast includes French soprano Sandrine Piau and US baritone Rod Gilfry. CUNCRETE Summerhall 3–26 August (not 4, 8, 15, 22), 10pm

A cross-dressing no-wave musical about architecture, idealism and the problem with the alpha male. Staged by Rachael Clerke and punk band the Great White Males.

CATHAL MCCONNELL AND FRIENDS Art Space @ St Mark’s 11 and 13 August, 8.30pm

The Boys of the Lough star returns with the show that won him a Herald Angel last year, blending traditional Irish music with the Scots fiddle and the harp. 152

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GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPEROR

HARPSICHORDS FOR ST CECILIA'S CECILIA’S

Edinburgh Playhouse 10 August, 8pm

St Andrew’s and St George’s West 24 and 25 August, 3pm

The cult Montreal band provides the music for a dance show by the Holy Body Tattoo and performs a rare one-off gig of mesmerising post-rock majesty.

Two sessions of early music. The first is by French iconoclast Jean Rondeau, whose mission is to make the harpsichord cool. The second is by John Kitchen, who’ll be mixing in pieces by Handel.

GRIT

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GOBSMACKED! Underbelly George Square 4-29 August, 5pm

A multi-talented cast of singers and beatboxes redefine the limits of the human voice while telling a compelling story.

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A haunted song cycle about love, death and whisky by Dave Malloy. There are four interwoven stories in this chamber musical that draws on everything from doo-wop to Chinese folk.

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Since her time with the Delgados, the superb Scottish singer has released three solo albums of exquisite beauty. For this gig, she is joined by the Cairn String Quartet, Glasgow pop vocal duo Bdy_Prts and acclaimed guitarist and singer RM Hubbert. See feature on p.90

GHOST QUARTET Roundabout @ Summerhall 5–28 August, 9pm

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EMMA POLLOCK Hub 25 August, 7pm

EMERSON STRING QUARTET

Two concerts from the worldrenowned orchestra. In the first, Julian Rachlin plays violin in pieces by Bach and Bruckner. In the second, Sir András Schiff plays piano in a selection of Beethoven and Mendelssohn.

, re tu ra ghs

Sweet Grassmarket 10–21 August (not 15, 16), 8.30pm

Shubert, Haydn and Tchaikovsky are given a morning airing by the lauded chamber group.

From the final rounds of Britain’s Got Talent to the Fringe -with performances at Buckingham Palace, the Royal Albert Hall and Glastonbury thrown in between -The Jives Aces’ swing music is a tour de force. Guests The Three Belles exude pizzazz.

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Usher Hall 26 and 27 August, 7.30pm

Queen’s Hall 19 August, 11am

The eclectic band counts sets in the Olympic Closing Ceremony, live sessions on BBC Two and collaborations with the likes of Amy Winehouse in its impressive CV. Prepare to hit the dance floor with their unique combination of rock, jazz, soul and electronica.

GEWANDHAUSORCHESTER LEIPZIG 1 AND 2

DEAN FRIEDMAN: STORY SONGS

The writer of Lucky Stars has become a Fringe regular and here performs a mixture of acoustic favourites and stories.

Assembly George Square Gardens 15-16 August, Times Vary

Annual solo appearance from the holder of a lifetime achievement award in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Assembly George Square 19-21 August, 7pm

DICK GAUGHAN Acoustic Music Centre 23 August, 8pm

Lau accordionist Martin Green, Portishead’s Adrian Utley, Mogwai’s Dominic Aitchison, Becky Unthank from The Unthanks and Edinburghborn folk singer-songwriter Adam Holmes come together in this unforgettable show about human migration. It also features BAFTAwinning animators.

THE JIVES ACES WITH THE THREE BELLES

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The Mariinsky Opera visits the Edinburgh International Festival with the opening part of Wagner’s Ring Cycle under the conductorship of Valery Gergiev.

FLIT Edinburgh International Conference Centre 10–11 August, times vary

HACKNEY COLLIERY BAND

DAS RHEINGOLD Usher Hall 15 August, 7.30pm

A late-night ride back in time with Adelaide DJ Tom Loud who helps us party through history with the best sounds from 1956 to the present.

RT S

If you thought the Eurovision Song Contest was beyond parody, think again. From Australia comes this outrageous spectacle in which you get a chance to vote for the best act. Starring Rula Lenska. See p.77

IV A W

The ferocious young Russian pianist returns to the Edinburgh International Festival to play Bach, Liszt and Rachmaninov in a breathtaking concert.

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EUROBEAT Pleasance Courtyard 3–29 August (not 16, 23), 9.45pm

Edinburgh Corn Exchange 12, 13, 18 and 19 August, 9pm

A celebration of the innovative Scottish musician, Martyn Bennett who died in 2005 at the age of 33. An 80-piece orchestra gives a symphonic rendition of his final album.

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DANIIL TRIFONOV IN RECITAL Usher Hall 17 August, 8pm

HOT DUB TIME MACHINE

Edinburgh Playhouse 23 August, 8pm

Clockwise from top: ArturoTappin , GhostQuartet and Gobsmacked

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JONNY & THE BAPTISTS: EAT THE POOR

NOSFERATU WITH LIVE SCORE Jazz Bar 15–19 August, 12.45pm

Roundabout @ Summerhall 5–28 August (not 9, 16, 23), 7.35pm

Jazz guitarist Graeme Stephen and his trio perform a live soundtrack to the 1922 classic silent movie.

A satirical and political musical epic about inequality, friendship and betrayal by the stars of Radio 4’s The Now Show.

OPENING CONCERT Usher Hall 6 August, 8pm

KARMANA, SONGS OF THE ROMA

Clockwise from top: Ruby and the Vinyl, Thrones! The Music and Puddles Pity Party: Let’s Go!

Summerhall 12–20 August, 9.15pm

Virtuoso guitarist Simon Thacker and Polish cellist Justyna Jablonska are joined by traditional Roma singer and violinist Masha Natanson to perform Thacker’s six-movement Karmana Suite, and Songs of the Roma, a re-imagining of music and songs from the gypsy tradition. Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase.

THE MAGNETS – AUDIOCITY Assembly George Square Gardens 4-29 August 5.15pm

The acapella sextet take you on a musical journey through swing, rock, funk, disco pop and more.

MOVIN’ MELVIN BROWN PRESENTS ME AND OTIS

THE PEATBOG FAERIES

Assembly George Square Studios 5–28 August (not 15, 22), 3.15pm

Queen’s Hall 11 August, 8pm

The Fringe regular pays tribute to the music of Otis Redding in a highenergy extravaganza.

They’re back for an upbeat night of Celtic dance music in which bagpipes and fiddles meet jazz, hip hop and reggae.

MOGWAI AND MARK COUSINS KING CREOSOTE Queen’s Hall 25 August, 8pm

Linchpin of Scotland’s indie-folk scene, Kenny Anderson, aka King Creosote, will be showcasing his most recent work.

Edinburgh Playhouse 27 and 28 August, 9pm

This pairing of filmmaker Cousins with Glasgow’s masters of brooding soundscapes is the first live performance of Atomic: Living in Dread and Promise.

NEHH PRESENTS… MEDITERANEO FESTIVAL EDITION: A WILD NIGHT OF LIVE WORLD MUSIC Summerhall 26 August, 11pm

Part of Summerhall’s Nothing Ever Happens Here strand, this is a late-night fusion of the sounds of Africa, Cuba and Southern Italy, complete with three bands and 20 musicians, among them Rise Kagona, formerly of the Bhundu Boys. NEHH PRESENTS… RACHEL SERMANNI, MATT NORRIS AND THE MOON Summerhall 10 August, 8pm

The young Scottish folk star draws on her two albums to play a stripped-down acoustic set, supported by an Edinburgh folk band. NEHH PRESENTS… WITHERED HAND AND CHRIS T-T Summerhall 27 August, 7pm

Known to his family as Dan Wilson, Withered Hand is a central player on the Edinburgh DIY music scene who has been celebrated as far afield as Rolling Stone magazine. NORMA Festival Theatre 5-9 August (not 8), 7.15pm

One of the flagship productions of the EIF, Norma started life at the 2013 Whitsun Festival and has been much celebrated since. Cecilia Bartoli sings the title role of Bellini’s opera 154

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An evening of Rossini, Bellini and Verdi performed by the Orchestra dell’Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia with the Edinburgh Festival Chorus. The conductor is Sir Antonio Pappano.

PIERRE BOULEZ: A FESTIVAL CELEBRATION Usher Hall 12 August, 7.30pm

The BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra is paying tribute to the composer and musical pioneer Boulez in collaboration with his close friend Matthias Pintscher. PLAYING POLITICS Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride's 18, 29 and 25 August, 8pm

Topical comedy duo match musical prowess with sharp political commentary. You’ll recognise the tunes and you’ll laugh at how they’ve been repurposed. POND WIFE Underbelly Cowgate 4–28 August (not 15), 1.20pm

Hans Christian Andersen’s The Little Mermaid is reinterpreted and, told through the medium of 90s pop. Expect mermaids and pop stars to collide. PUDDLES PITY PARTY: LET’S GO! Assembly George Square 4-29 August 7.25pm

The big sad clown is back for his second Fringe run after the success of last year’s show. Weird and wonderful as ever. RICHARD GOODE Queen’s Hall 26 August, 11am

The virtuoso US pianist runs through marvelous pieces by Haydn, JanáÐek, Schumann and Debussy. www.edfestmag.com

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LISTINGS MUSIC

RUBY AND THE VINYL

WORBEY AND FARRELL’S RHAPSODY

Underbelly Cowgate 4–28 August (not 15), 7.10pm

Assembly George Square Theatre 3-28 August 5.30pm

John Godber joins forces with his eldest daughter Elizabeth, a LIPAtrained singer-songwriter, to create a musical set in a vintage shop where two students celebrate their love of box sets.

The dazzling duo take on the world’s greatest music in their brand new show. YORKSTON/THORNE/KHAN Hub 10 August, 9.30pm

RUSSIAN NATIONAL ORCHESTRA

Experimental sounds from singersongwriter James Yorkston, sarangi player Suhail Yusuf Khan, bassist Jon Thorne and singer Lisa O’Neill.

Usher Hall 20 and 21 August, times vary

Two appearances by one of the world’s finest orchestras. In the first, Kirill Karabits conducts Musorgsky, Mozart and Tchaikovsky; in the second, Mikhail Pletnev plays Rachmaninov’s Second Piano Concerto. SCOTTISH NATIONAL JAZZ ORCHESTRA Queen’s Hall 14 August, 7.30pm

Tommy Smith’s internationally acclaimed band pays tribute to the work of Dave Brubeck and the sound of mid 20th century cool.

SOWETO SPIRITUAL SINGERS: THE AFRICAN EXPERIENCE

VOICES OF SOWETO PRESENTS UBUNTU

C Scala 3–29 August, 4.45pm

Assembly George Square Gardens 4–29 August (not 15), 2pm

Not just joyous music but colourful costume changes and infectious dancing in this soulful celebration of all things African.

Singers, dancers, drummers and marimba players set pulses racing.

STEVEN ISSERLIS AND ROBERT LEVIN

Rehearsal Studio, Royal Lyceum 6–21 August (not 8, 9, 15, 16), times vary

Queen’s Hall 23 and 24 August, 11am

Edinburgh Playhouse 15 and 16 August, 8pm

One for Beethoven completists. Over two concerts, Isserlis and Levin take us through the classical master’s entire output for cello and fortepiano.

A rare chance to see the Icelandic post-rock band with two nights of epic, ethereal and elemental soundscapes.

The Famous Spiegeltent 3–29 August (not 8, 15, 22), 5.15pm

SIGUR ROS

SIMON KEENLYSIDE AND FRIENDS Queen’s Hall 11 August, 11am

A morning run-through of songs by Gershwin, Berlin, Weill and Kern sung by baritone Keenlyside with a British jazz quintet. SONGLINES Across the city 21 August, various times

A day of music in unexpected places as Edinburgh choirs pop up all over the city for a spontaneous celebration of singing.

WIND RESISTANCE: KARINE POLWART

Somewhere between music and theatre, this piece by the Scottish folk singer-songwriter is sublime.

YOUNG FATHERS Hub 14 and 15 August, 9.30pm

Winners of the 2014 Mercury Music Prize, the Edinburgh trio play two hometown gigs. See feature on p.89 YOUSSOU N’DOUR Usher Hall 24 August, 8pm

The master of traditional Senegalese music and modern rhythms of hip hop, jazz and soul. WORDS MARK FISHER

SUNSHINE ON LEITH

Originally a hit for Dundee Rep, then a movie, Stephen Greenhorn’s musical based on the songs of the Proclaimers is revived by Captivate Theatre. THRONES! THE MUSICAL PARODY Assembly George Square 3-29 August, 5pm

You know nothing until you’ve seen last year’s Fringe sell out hit Thrones! Be treated to hilarious songs as you watch everyone trying to either kill or bed each other, or both. VIRGIN MONEY FIREWORKS CONCERT Princes Street Gardens 29 August, 9.30pm

The Edinburgh International Festival comes to its traditional spectacular end as Kristiina Poska conducts the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in pieces by Prokofiev, Bernstein and Shostakovich while the city is lit by the pyrotechnics. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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Lose yourself in these events as easily as you would in the amazing books they celebrate AL KENNEDY 17 August, 11.45am

The Scottish author is back with her first novel in five years: Serious Sweet, a 24-hour love story with a political edge. ALAN CUMMING 27 August, 6.45pm

The Perthshire actor and Broadway star talks about the amusing side of showbiz and his book You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams. See feature on p.14 ALEXANDER MCCALL SMITH 15 - 19 August (not 16, 18), times vary

A sure-fire box-office hit, the prolific Edinburgh novelist makes three appearances this year. ALEXEI SAYLE 14 August, 6.45pm

In his second memoir, Thatcher Stole My Trousers, Sayle revisits his

days with The Young Ones and The Comic Strip. ALI SMITH 13 August, 11.45am

An author who plays with form as well as language, both ambitious and playful, Smith is a dazzling writer. Here, she talks about recent outings. BILLY BRAGG 14 August, 8.15pm

The bard of Barking sings his way through his anthology, A Lover Sings, and chats about his songwriting with Vic Galloway. BRIX SMITH START 20 August, 8.45pm

A woman with one of the most colourful careers in popular culture, Smith Start was a member of The Fall, and is now a fashion expert. Here, she shares her memories.

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CAROL ANN DUFFY WITH JACKIE KAY 17 August, 1.30pm

Kay is Scotland’s new makar. Duffy is her counterpart as poet laureate. Both, curiously enough, have made the move from Glasgow to Manchester. Find out what else they have in common.

24 August, 2pm

CHRISTOPHER BROOKMYRE

15 August, 1.30pm

21 August, 8.15pm

The Edinburgh journalist is one of our shrewdest political commentators and an invaluable guide through Scotland’s rapidly changing civic landscape. Here, he talks about his book, Tsunami: Scotland's Democratic Revolution.

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Edinburgh journalist Ramaswamy has charted the nine months of her pregnancy with rare candour, telling it like it is in Expecting. IAN MACWHIRTER

The popular Scottish author of amusing crime capers delves into murky online waters in his political thriller Black Widow. EDNA O'BRIEN 16 August, 1.30pm

Published last year, The Little Red Chairs was the first novel by the Irish novelist in a decade and was welcomed as a masterpiece. EIMEAR MCBRIDE 14 August, 4pm

Those who saw the adaptation of McBride’s A Girl is a Half-Formed Thing at the Traverse at last year’s Fringe will know what a hauntingly lyrical writer she is. Confirming her initial promise, The Lesser Bohemians is also sublime. EUROPE

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HULA BISS AND CHITRA RAMASWAMY WITH GAVIN FRANCIS

28 August, 7.30pm

IRVINE WELSH 27 August, 9.45pm

The streets of Edinburgh have recently been taken over by the film crew shooting the sequel to Trainspotting. Welsh talks about his new novel, The Blade Artist, in which we find hardman Begbie striking out with a new life in California. JACKIE KAY WITH NICOLA STURGEON 18 August, 3.15pm

A rare chance to hear Scotland’s first minister talking not about politics, but poetry, in conversation with Kay, Scotland’s new makar.

David Greig’s early play set on a European train station where no train seems to stop to pick up the fleeing refugees exposes chilling truths. GREGOR FISHER AND MELANIE REID 20 August, 6.45pm

The Rab C Nesbitt actor has tended to keep his private life out of the spotlight, but now with the help of journalist Melanie Reid, he has decided to share his secrets. HOWARD JACOBSON 17 August, 5pm

In his new novel, Shylock is My Name, the Man Booker winner has taken Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice and made it his own. www.edfestmag.com

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LISTINGS BOOKS

LEMN SISSAY 21 August, 8.45pm

New and old poems from the muchloved writer whose anthology Gold from the Stone is a mixture of fresh pieces and favourites.

JAMES KELMAN 21 August, 3.15pm

The great writer celebrates the publication of Dirt Road, a comingof-age road trip through Louisiana, and its movie adaptation. JEANETTE WINTERSON 20 August, 8.15pm

The author has contributed to the commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death with a modern-day retelling of The Winter’s Tale called The Gap of Time. JIM HAYNES 21 August, 7pm

Haynes is a counter-cultural guru who has continued to visit the city from his base in Paris. Here, he discusses his memoir.

PETER ARNOTT AND HERMAN KOCH

SUE PERKINS 21 August, 9.45pm

29 August, 10.15am

Arnott, a veteran playwright but a first-time novelist, and Knoch discuss their latest novels.

Viv Groskop talks to the Great British Bake Off star about life as one half of Mel and Sue and her early days on the Edinburgh Fringe circuit.

LIZ LOCHHEAD

PAUL MASON

14 August, 3.15pm

28 August, 5pm

TIM BURGESS WITH IAN RANKIN

A Book Festival favourite, the Glasgow writer returns with the fruits of her five years as Scotland’s makar in the form of Fugitive Colours.

The Channel 4 economics editor forecasts the end of the capitalist system.

18 August, 8.15pm

LOVE SONG TO LAVENDER MENACE 27 August, 7.30pm

In the 1980s, Lavender Menace was a radical independent bookshop and key player in Edinburgh’s LGBT life. Dramatist James Ley remembers its importance in a new play followed by a discussion.

25 August, 7.15pm

Music and literature meet as Rebus author and pop fan Rankin talks to Burgess about his life with the Charlatans on the Madchester scene of the 1990s.

The music critic celebrates the life of one of rock’s greatest icons in Age of Bowie.

ZAFFAR KUNIAL WITH JACKIE KAY

PAUL MORLEY

15 August, 3.15pm

SIMON CALLOW 18 August, 11.45am

Callow shares insights into the workings of icon of stage and screen Orson Welles.

Expect a fascinating meeting of minds and cultures in this poetry double-header. WHAT I LEARNED FROM JOHNNY BEVAN WITH LUKE WRIGHT

LUKE HARDING

STEWART LEE

20 August, 7.30pm

13 August, 2pm

19 August, 8.15pm

The Guardian’s Moscow correspondent has dug deep into the murky story of Alexander Litvinenko, whose murder in London exposed a treacherous world of spies and organised crime.

The comedian’s comedian showcases Content Provider, his compendium of newspaper articles. See feature on p.16

Luke Wright’s poetic monologue charts a journey from Things-CanOnly-Get-Better hope to post-Iraq disillusionment in Blair’s Britain. WORDS MARK FISHER

JOYCE MCMILLAN

MARK HADDON

16 August, 3.30pm

23 August, 3.15pm

The Scotsman’s political commentator and critic has put together an anthology of her reviews of Scottish theatre over the past three decades.

The author of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the NightTime recently published The Pier Falls, a gripping collection of short stories. See feature on p.85

KATE TEMPEST

MARINA WARNER

13 August, 8.15pm

18 August, 5pm

The young performance poet's debut novel, The Bricks that Built the Houses, demonstrates just how widely her talents range.

Journalist Jackie McGlone introduces the major author and talks about the feminist fairytales in her latest anthology, Fly Away Home.

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MICHAEL BILLINGTON 21 August, 5.30pm

The longstanding Guardian theatre critic stuck his neck out last year by putting his name to a book called The 101 Greatest Plays. Here, he's happy to discuss the selection. MICHEL FABER 28 August, 8.45pm

Faber's poetry collection, Undying, is a response to the death of his wife after a six-month battle with cancer. MIRANDA SAWYER 28 August 2pm

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The journalist and broadcaster reflects on life in your mid 40s and the pressures of feeling Out of Time.

Clockwise from top: Simon Callow, Edna O'Brien, Liz Lochhead and Billy Bragg

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Life is a cabaret, and what better way to enjoy it than with a stunning theatre experience? A TALE OF TWO CITIES: BLOOD FOR BLOOD Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 10, 17, 24), 2.40pm

Jonathan Holloway has a long history on the Fringe with his Red Shift company. Here, he collaborates with Hong Kong’s Chung Ying Theatre Company to create a free adaptation of the Dickens classic. ADA/AVA Underbelly Potterrow 3–29 August (not 16), 4pm

Manual Puppet Theatre creates a supernatural tale using shadow puppetry, projectors and live music. The play is about an elderly woman carrying on her life after the death of her twin sister. The New York Times called the performers an “uncanny coven of young sorcerers”.

ADLER & GIBB Summerhall 3–27 August (not 4, 8, 15, 22), 5.15pm

First seen at London’s Royal Court in 2014, Tim Crouch’s play is about a fictional conceptual artist whose life and death is being retold in a movie. It examines how we are often more interested in the artist than the art. ANYTHING THAT GIVES OFF LIGHT Edinburgh International Conference Centre 18–26 August (not 21), times vary

The National Theatre of Scotland joins forces with the brilliant New York company the TEAM for a premiere about the cultural connections between Scotland and the USA. It takes us on a road trip into the Highlands and tries to sort out myth from reality.

BILDRAUM

BRAZIL

Summerhall 16–28 August (not 22), 8.55pm

New Town Theatre 4–28 August (not 16), 3.15pm

This experimental show uses architectural models, live photography, sound and music to encourage the audience to think about memory and spaces. Created by an architect and a photographer.

Edinburgh playwright Ronan O’Donnell looks at the effects of war and poverty on the individual in a darkly comic one-man show staged by the new ProdUse Theatre company.

BLANK

Underbelly Cowgate 4–28 August (not 16), 5.30pm

BRICKING IT Summerhall 5–28 August (not 22), 6.30pm

Nassim Soleimanpour is the Iranian playwright whose White Rabbit Red Rabbit is performed by a different actor at every show He has a similar idea in Blank, in which the actor is joined on stage by a member of the audience.

The generations try to connect as a father and daughter swap roles. Pat Griffin is a 73-year-old Irish builder who is turning his hand to comedy. His 29-year-old daughter Joanna, meanwhile, will attempt to build the stage. BUBBLE REVOLUTION

BLIND DATE PROJECT Zoo Southside 5–28 August (not 16, 23), 10.30pm

Every night is different as Bojana Novakovic goes face to face with a new performer each night. There is no script but the conversation is steered by text messages and phone calls. THE BLUE BOX: MEMORIES OF THE CHILDREN OF WAR

New Town Theatre 4–28 August (not 16), 13.45

A one-woman revolutionary fairy tale about growing up during and after the fall of communism in Poland. Starring co-creator Kasia Lech for Polish Theatre Ireland, it is accompanied by a virtual exhibition of life in 1980s and 1990s Poland and, on 6 and 20 August, is performed in Polish.

Greenside @ Nicolson Square 8–13 August, 12.40pm

A bilingual English/Arabic production from Kuwait based on a book by teenage author Emma Abdullah. It considers war in the Middle East from the point of view of children affected by it. BLUSH Underbelly Cowgate 8–28 August (not 16), 6pm

Snuff Box Theatre looks at the phenomenon of revenge porn. Charlotte Josephine’s play considers how victims and perpetrators behave when their private lives are made cruelly public. 158

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DUBLIN OLDSCHOOL Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 10, 15, 22), 1pm

Clockwise from top: Counting Sheep, Ada/Ava, Bricking It and The Club

Two actors play 17 characters in this dark comedy set in the world of Dublin dance music where two brothers re-connect through their love of club tunes and chemical stimulants. Emmet Kirwan’s play has enjoyed two sell-out seasons at Project Arts Dublin. THE DUKE

the aftermath of an unspeakable crime. When a young man is imprisoned for possession of indecent images, how do his friends and family square up to the person they thought they knew?

Pleasance Courtyard 3–29 August (not 8, 15), 3.30pm

Hoipolloi’s Shon Dale-Jones (aka Hugh Hughes), mixes the refugee crisis into a personal tale about a troublesome script and a broken family heirloom. Expect a thin line between fantasy and reality.

DEAR HOME OFFICE Underbelly Med Quad 22–28 August, 12.15pm

CAFÉ PALESTINE Pleasance Courtyard 22–26 August, 1.30pm

A theatrical revue with a sense of purpose as young Palestinian performers from the Aida refugee camp in Bethlehem mix traditional dabka dance with music and standup comedy, alongside stories of how Alrowwad Youth Theatre deals with life in exile. THE CLUB Gilded Balloon 3–29 August, 5pm

Fringe regular Ruaraidh Murray is back with his fifth play, a darkly comic two-hander set in a 1990s London nightclub where a gangland debt threatens to stop the party. COUNTING SHEEP Summerhall @ the King's Hall 3–28 August (8. 15, 22), 8pm and 2pm weekend matinees

From Ukraine via Toronto comes a stunning evocation of the 2014 Maidan revolution in Kiev. Performed by the Lemon Bucket Orkestra, the self-styled “guerrilla folk opera” draws the audience into the volatile atmosphere on the streets when ordinary people decide to stand up to power. DANIEL Zoo: The Monkey House 5–14 August, 1.30pm

Highly thought of at this year’s National Student Drama Festival, Footprint Theatre’s show considers www.edfestmag.com

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Boys from Eritrea, Afghanistan, Somalia and Albania who arrived unaccompanied in the UK perform a show about their new lives dealing with everything from the immigration authorities to the British weather.

THE DWELLING PLACE Summerhall 3–19 August (not 4, 15), 4pm and 7pm

A multimedia performance created by brothers Jamie and Lewis Wardrop who recreate the ambiance of an abandoned cottage they discovered on the Isle of

Harris in the Outer Hebrides. They use their experience as a way of connecting to bigger questions about history and our place in the wider world. ELECTRIC EDEN Pleasance Pop-Up: The Club 3–29 August (not 23), times vary

Site-specific production by Not Too Tame imagining a group of young people taking over a deserted building for a hedonistic party. The audience gets to join in the fun. The same company is restaging last year’s bar-room show, Early Doors, in a real pub. ERIK SATIE'S FACTION Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 9, 16, 23), 12.50pm

A chance to see Alistair McGowan in a different light as he puts aside his impressions to pay tribute to the French composer Erik Satie. McGowan will be playing several of his pieces as well as reading a selection of articles and poems. You can also see him at the Gilded Balloon.

DENTON AND ME Summerhall 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 3.05pm

Part of the Made in Scotland Showcase, Sam Rowe’s debut solo show draws on his own life as well as the diaries of Denton Welch, an early 20th-century painter who wrote candidly about his wartime obsession for a land boy. DOLLY WANTS TO DIE Underbelly Cowgate 4–28 (not 17), 4.10pm

Helen Monks is the star of Caitlin Moran’s Raised by Wolves and also plays Shakespeare’s daughter in Ben Elton’s Upstart Crow. Her spiritual home, however, is the Edinburgh Fringe and here she presents her own political comedy about the stresses of life in Cameron’s Britain. DOUBTING THOMAS Summerhall 3–28 August (not 4, 15, 22), 7.20pm

In the early 90s, one of the most talked about companies on the Fringe was Jeremy Weller’s Grassmarket Project. In shows such as Glad, Mad and Bad, it specialised in putting real people on the stage to tell their own stories. It’s an approach that continues in this show about Thomas McCrudden, a man with a violent past. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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EVERY BRILLIANT THING

LAST DREAM (ON EARTH)

Roundabout @ Summerhall 6–28 August (not 9, 16, 23), 3.15pm

Assembly Hall 4–28 August (not 10, 15, 22), 1.25pm

Performed by Jonny Donahoe, Duncan Macmillan’s play for Paines Plough and Pentabus manages to be both funny and touching as it considers the difficulty of dealing with depression. EXPENSIVE SHIT Traverse 4–28 August (not Monday), times vary

Writer and director Adura Onashile is back after the excellent HeLa, this time with a play inspired by the real-life Glasgow club that installed a two-way mirror between the gents and the ladies. Meanwhile, in a nightclub in Lagos, a toilet attendant dreams of escaping as a dancer in Fela Kuti’s band. FASLANE Summerhall 3–28 August (not 4, 15), 7.15pm

Enterprising Scottish performance artist Jenna Watt, whose Flâneurs was a Fringe hit in 2012, turns her attention to the personal and

political aspects of Trident. What counts more: the capacity of nuclear weapons to destroy or the jobs they create? GLASGOW GIRLS Assembly Hall 4–28 August (not 10, 15, 22), 2.20pm

The true story of seven pupils from Drumchapel High School who launched a campaign against dawn raids, child detention and deportations of asylum seekers. Written by David Greig and staged by Cora Bissett, the National Theatre of Scotland co-production is a lively political musical with an infectious girl-power feistiness.

THE GLASS MENAGERIE King’s Theatre 5–21 August (not 9, 16), times vary

Director John Tiffany hot-foots it from staging the Harry Potter stage show in London to revive his acclaimed American Repertory Theatre production of the Tennessee Williams classic. HAMLET IN BED Pleasance Courtyard 3–29 August (not 10, 16, 23), 2.10pm

Annette O’Toole, who played Lana Lang in the 1983 movie Superman III, stars in this off-Broadway show written by co-star Michael Laurence. It’s a noir-ish thriller about an actor with an unhealthy obsession with his mother. HEADS UP

uctions y Prod derbell n U & rts ircus A e for C al Centr n o ti a by N duced Co-pro

Summerhall 3–28 August (not 4, 15, 22), 7.05pm

Kieran Hurley finds his thoughts turning apocalyptic as he predicts the imminent death of the capitalist system. What would we do, he asks, if we found ourselves at the end of the world? Featuring a score by Michael John McCarthy. HORSE MCDONALD IN CAREFUL Gilded Balloon at the Museum 3–29 August (not 15), 7.30pm

The singer tells her own story about growing up gay in 1970s small town Lanark. The script is written by Lynn Ferguson, the stand-up turned playwright and screen writer. Completing the theatrical dream team is director Maggie Kinloch.

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IN FIDELITY Traverse 4–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), times vary

Theatremaker Rob Drummond has been looking into evolutionary theory as he celebrates the 15th anniversary of the first date he had with his wife. To help him think through the implications of it all, he’ll be inviting two audience members to have an onstage date.

Kai Fischer asks us to don our headphones for a mesmerising performance about two highendurance journeys. On the one hand are the perilous voyages made by refugees trying to get from Tunisia to Spain. On the other is the final-frontier expedition of cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin into space. LEAF BY NIGGLE Scottish Storytelling Centre 4–28 August (not 10, 15, 22, 23), 5pm

The first stage adaptation of JRR Tolkien’s fairy story about an amateur artist whose work goes unappreciated until his painting takes on physical form. Actor Richard Medrington gives a captivating performance under the direction of Andy Cannon, with a soundtrack by Karine Polwart and Michael John McCarthy. Part of Made in Scotland. MACBAIN Summerhall 3–14 August (not 4, 8), 8.55pm

Belgian company Dood Paard discovers the missing link between the protagonists of Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Kurt Cobain's Courtney Love. The play by Gerardjan Rijnders, part of the Big in Belgium programme, is a dark comedy about ambition, intoxication and death. MAIRI CAMPBELL: PULSE Summerhall 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 2.25pm

Campbell was given a high-level classical music training in London but she could never shake off her love of folk and roots. In this autobiographical tale, the Scottish musician describes her sometimes painful, sometimes hilarious, journey back home. Part of the Made in Scotland showcase. MEASURE FOR MEASURE Royal Lyceum 16–20 August, 8pm

The Edinburgh International Festival welcomes Declan Donnellan’s celebrated staging of Shakespeare’s most controversial play. Performed in Russian as a collaboration between Britain’s Cheek by Jowl and Moscow’s Pushkin Theatre, it combines classic Russian theatre tropes with piercing reinterpretations to create a truly sensory theatre experience. www.edfestmag.com

30/06/2016 18:25

LISTINGS THEATRE

MILK

between a student and his teacher. Said to be a fast-paced production by One Year Lease theatre company.

Traverse 5–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), times vary

The centrepiece of the Traverse’s Fringe programme is the debut play by actor-turned-playwright Ross Dunsmore, which looks at three couples of different ages in search of food, love and survival. Director Orla O’Loughlin reunites the team from last year’s Swallow.

THE RED SHED Traverse 6–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), times vary

MULE THE MOIRA MONOLOGUES Scottish Storytelling Centre 20–29 August, 3pm

Return run for Alan Bissett’s very entertaining one-man show in which the writer takes on the form of Moira Bell, a Falkirk single mother and school cleaner with a singular worldview.

Gilded Balloon 3–29 August (not 17), 1.30pm

Irish playwright Kat Woods was struck by the case of the “Peru two”, who were arrested in Lima after a haul of cocaine was found in their luggage. She responded by writing this play looking at how vulnerable to manipulation young holidaymakers can be.

MEET FRED Summerhall 5–25 August (not 15, 22), 3.55pm

MUNGO PARK – TRAVELS IN THE INTERIOR OF AFRICA

Cardiff company Hijinx Theatre joins forces with Blind Summit (the company behind Fringe puppetry hit The Table) for a show about a two-foot tall cloth puppet who is threatened with losing his Puppetry Living Allowance.

Summerhall 3–27 August (not 4, 8, 15, 22), 8.45pm

MOUSE – THE PERSISTENCE OF AN UNLIKELY THOUGHT Traverse 6–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), 10pm

The very wonderful comedian-cumstoryteller Daniel Kitson returns to the Traverse for a late-night tale about a writer, a mouse, a mysterious phone call and how one thing leads to another. Always a hot ticket.

A tragi-comic exploration of Europe’s colonial legacy where Dogstar’s Matthew Zajac plays Mungo Park, an 18th-century Scottish explorer who led expeditions to chart the River Niger.

PUTTING THE BAND BACK TOGETHER Northern Stage @ Summerhall 6–27 August (not 10, 17, 24), 4.50pm

Ross Millard of the Futureheads, Maria Crocker of Frantic Assembly and Alex Elliott of Northern Stage create a piece of raucous wishfulfilment and tender storytelling. PLEASE EXCUSE MY DEAR AUNT SALLY Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 12.50pm

This off-Broadway hit by playwright Kevin Armento is told from the perspective of a mobile phone – the key witness to an illicit affair

After Bravo Figaro and Cuckooed, comedian Mark Thomas makes a third venture into the theatre with a solo show about the Wakefield labour club where he made his first public performances. It’s about politics, camaraderie and good nights out. REVOLT. SHE SAID. REVOLT AGAIN. Traverse 16–28 August (not 22), times vary

A rare visit to Edinburgh by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Directed by Erica Whyman, Alice Birch’s play is about 21st-century women and the forces that play upon them still. En route to London after a run in Stratford.

MY EYES WENT DARK Traverse 4–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), times vary

Picked up after a successful run at London’s Finborough Theatre, this two hander stars Cal MacAninch and Thusitha Jayasundera. Inspired by real events, it’s about the urge for revenge after tragedy strikes. See feature on p.22 ONLY BONES

EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE

3 - 29 AUGUST 2016 Discover a diverse programme of comedy, music, theatre and family fun all under one majestic roof!

Lakin McCarthy presents

Rory Bremner Meets...

Summerhall 3–28 August (not 4, 8, 15, 22), 8.30pm

Impressionist and comedian Rory The acrobatic Thomas Monckton Bremner hosts seven shows of comedy and conversation with special guests. has given himself a special challenge: he must perform this solo show with one light, no text and a stage area of little more than 1m².

RORY BREMNER MEETS...

Rory Bremner_Fringe Ad_94x52mm_04.16.indd 1

HORSE MCDONALD IN CAREFUL...

SHAKIN’ SHAKESPEARE

STEVE RICHARDS PRESENTS ROCK N ROLL POLITICS

THE BEATBOX COLLECTIVE

NEIL DELAMERE: CTRL ALT DELAMERE

26/04/2016 13:25

POENA 5X1 Underbelly Med Quad 3–29 August (not 17), 3.20pm

Clockwise from top: Glasgow Girls, Macbain, Please Excuse My Dear Aunt Sally www.edfestmag.com

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Subtitled “How I Came to Agree with Right-Wing Thinking”, Abbie Spallen’s political thriller is about an idealistic scientist whose invention of a humane punishment for criminals is at risk of being exploited for commercial profit.

MICHAEL MORPURGO’S KING ARTHUR

VIR DAS

...and much, much more!

South Entrance, Lothian Street EH1 1HB - Venue 64

Box Office: 0131 622 6552 | gildedballoon.co.uk EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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Celebrating

Northern Stage’s 5th year at the Fringe

UNMISSABLE THEATRE IN OUR HOME AT SUMMERHALL HANNAH NICKLIN: Equations For A Moving Body (11am) THE DEAF AND HEARING ENSEMBLE: People Of The Eye (1pm) ZÖE MURTAGH & TORY COPELAND: Sacré Blue (2.45pm) THIRD ANGEL: 600 People (2.45pm) UNFOLDING THEATRE: Putting The Band Back Together (4.50pm) LUNG: E15 (6.30pm) RASHDASH: Two Man Show (8.15pm) SCOTT TURNBULL: Where Do All The Dead Pigeons Go? (10.05pm) Venue No: 26c Fringe Box Office:

0131 226 0000 northernstage.co.uk

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LISTINGS THEATRE

RICHARD III

Munro’s Scottish ancestors who sailed from Leith Docks in 1818 in the hope of a better life in Canada.

Royal Lyceum 24–28 August, 7.30pm

One of several international Shakespeares in this year’s Edinburgh International Festival, Thomas Ostermeier’s German production presents Richard as a psychopathic figure of evil at the heart of a dark thriller. Lars Eidinger stars. THE ROAD TO HUNTSVILLE Summerhall 5–28 August (not 15, 22), 8.45pm

What motivates women to write to men on death row? And what triggers them to fall in love? Stephanie Ridings reports on a field trip to Huntsville prison in Texas where such occurrences are common. SHYLOCK Assembly Roxy 4–28 August (not 15), 1.15pm

Guy Masterson is keeping himself typically busy this year. As well as directing one show (Chopping Chillies) and putting a toe in the stand-up market (Love and Canine Integration), he is once more starring in Gareth Armstrong’s study of the central character in The Merchant of Venice. You can see all three back to back in the same venue.

WONDERMAN Underbelly Potterrow 3–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), 6.05pm

Trying to bridge the generation gap, she discusses theatre, art and the way she earns a living, while her sceptical folks look on. Well received in Australia.

situations as a terrorist attack. Part of the Big in Belgium series, it is inspired by hostage taking in a school in Beslan in September 2004.

SWIVELHEAD

THE VIEW FROM CASTLE ROCK

Pleasance Courtyard 3–29 August (not 15), 3.10pm

Pipeline, which staged last year’s popular Spillikin – A Love Story, returns to Edinburgh with a serious look into the ethical and personal consequences of drone warfare. As well as puppetry, projection and an immersive soundscape, it uses a real drone in the show. TWO MAN SHOW

artSpace@StMarks 11–29 August (not 16, 21, 23), times vary

The Edinburgh International Book Festival moves into Fringe territory as it presents an adaptation of an Alice Munro story by Linda McLean presented in collaboration with Stellar Quines. The world premiere imagines the experiences of

National Theatre Wales collaborates with Gagglebabble to bring a set of dark adult tales by Roald Dahl to the stage. Featuring live music, the grisly production follows the hallucinations and nightmares of an RAF pilot injured in the second world war. WORLD WITHOUT US Summerhall 3–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), 11.30am

The ever-inventive Fringe favourite Ontroerend Goed imagines a dystopian future (and a World Without Us). Half the run is performed by a male actor (Valentijn Dhaenens) and half a female actor (Karolien De Bleser). Directed by Alexander Devriendt. WORDS MARK FISHER

Summerhall 6–27 August (not 10, 17, 24), 8.15pm

This Two-Man Show stars two women, Abbi Greenland and Helen Goalen, playing two women playing two men as they ask what it is to be a man in a feminist future.

600 PEOPLE Northern Stage @ Summerhall 18–27 (not 24), 2.45pm

Third Angel’s Alex Kelly takes on the big scientific questions as he considers our place in the universe and our history on this planet, drawing on conversations with astrophysicist Simon Goodwin and boiling it down to 60 mind-boggling minutes.

UNDER ICE

Oskaras Koršunovas was the bright young star of Lithuanian theatre when he won a Fringe First in 1990. Now, he is lending his support to the next generation of directors in the shape of Arturo Areima.

Gilded Balloon 3–29 August (not 16, 23), 1.45pm

Australian performance artist Bron Batten keeps it in the family by coming on stage with her parents.

10.20am

THE 

US/THEM SWEET CHILD OF MINE

www.bite-size.org

Summerhall @ The King’s Hall 8–22 August (not 15), 5pm

Summerhall 3–28 August (not 8, 15, 22), 10am

+ free coffee croissant & strawberries!

BIG BREAKFAST

BRONKS, a Belgian company catering to young audiences, takes a look at how children cope after they have witnessed such extreme Above: Us/Them Below: Sweet Child of Mine

www.bite-size.org

12.30pm

THE BIG 

Bring your lunch Grab a drink from the bar!

LUNCH HOUR EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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LISTINGS CHILDREN

These shows will delight the grown ups just as much as the little ones THE ADVENTURE OF PUPPETS

BEARDS! BEARDS! BEARDS!

CELESTE'S CIRCUS

Summerhall 4–28 August (not 15), 11.45am

Assembly Roxy 4–28 August (not 15, 22), 4.15pm

This show features two performers turning everyday objects into an imaginative DIY universe.

A musical romp about a girl who has no interest in dressing up as a princess but is obsessed with wanting a beard.

Scottish Storytelling Centre 4–28 August (not 10, 17, 18, 22–25), 10.30am

THE AMAZING SCENE MACHINE

BEDTIME STORIES

Pleasance Courtyard 5–29 August (not 8, 15, 22), times vary

Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows 4–22 August (not 15), times vary

Aardman model maker Jim Parkyn encourages you to make your own creations in this hands-on workshop.

The whole audience gets tucked into bed in this dreamy piece of children’s circus that takes place in front of the snuggled-up spectators as they lie in bed. See p.60

ANATOMY OF THE PIANO (FOR BEGINNERS) Scottish Storytelling Centre 4–28 August (not 17, 22–24), 1pm

Will Pickvance takes us on a musical journey through piano history. Venturing back through space and time, he finds out where pianos come from and what Beethoven’s bad moods were like.

THE BOOKBINDER Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 1pm

Returning after a successful run on last year’s Fringe as well as in the recent Imaginate festival, this creepy tale is inspired by the works of Chris Van Allsburg and Neil Gaiman.

Faux Theatre builds a miniature circus for the under-fives. A low-risk entry into the world of the big top, with a hippo on the high wire. JACQUELINE WILSON

GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS

Edinburgh International Book Festival 14 August, 1.30pm

Edinburgh International Book Festival 16 August, 5.30pm

Rent a Bridesmaid is the latest book by the much loved author. It’s about a girl called Tilly whose frustration at never being asked to be a bridesmaid leads to a novel solution.

Facts and figures to make you gasp as Craig Glenday and Stephen Daultry share highlights of Guinness World Records 2017. There may even be an attempt at getting in the next edition.

JULIAN CLARY AND DAVID ROBERTS: THE BOLDS ARE BACK!

Pleasance Courtyard 3–29 August (not 16), 2.15pm

Edinburgh International Book Festival 20 August, 1.30pm

The comedian-turned-writer has produced a second volume about a family of suburban hyenas which merges drawing and storytelling. JULIA DONALDSON AND FRIENDS Edinburgh International Book Festival 13, 14 and 28 August, 10am

A few chances to catch the muchloved author in the company of her colleagues and characters. Expect singing, dancing and joining in. LYN GARDNER AND KATHERINE WOODFINE: GLAMOUR, GLITZ AND CRIME Edinburgh International Book Festival 20 August, 10.30am

Guardian theatre critic Gardner has quickly built up an impressive collection of books as a children’s author. Her latest, Rose Campion and the Stolen Secret, is a thriller set in the Victorian music hall.

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GULLIVER'S TRAVELS

Welsh company Familia de la Noche returns to the Fringe with a show that combines puppets, music and clowning to recreate the highs and lows of Jonathan Swift’s satirical classic. HERE COME RON BUTLIN AND JAMES HUTCHESON Edinburgh International Book Festival 21 August, 1.30pm

Former Edinburgh makar Ron Butlin is joined by local illustrator James Hutcheson to introduce their new book, Here Come the Trolls!, and encourage you to join in a troll drawing competition. HUP Pleasance Kids @ EICC 11–28 August (not 17, 18, 24)

If you’re more than two years old, you’re beyond the target market for this Starcatchers show aimed at the smallest of babies. Back in Scotland after a world tour, the highly praised show features two violins, one cello and one very mischievous raccoon.

www.edfestmag.com

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LISTINGS CHILDREN

THE SNAIL AND THE WHALE Pleasance Courtyard 3–21 August (not 6, 17), 11.50am

Clockwise from top: Celeste's Circus, Puzzle and Hub

Return of the much loved Julia Donaldson adaptation by Tall Tales (the company that brought us stagings of The Gruffalo, The Gruffalo's Child and Room on the Broom) in which a snail takes a trip on the back of a whale. Suitable for the over fours. SQUIRREL STOLE MY UNDERPANTS

I GOT SUPERPOWERS FOR MY BIRTHDAY

MICHAEL MORPURGO'S KING ARTHUR

Summerhall 4–19 August (not 8, 15), 10.40am

Roundabout @ Summerhall 5–21 August (not 9, 16), 11am

Gilded Balloon at the Museum 3–29 August (not 16, 22), 2.45pm

This world premiere by Katie Douglas is about three children who, on the day before their 13th birthday, discover they have superpowers. All they have to do now is defeat an evil overlord that plans to turn the world to ice.

David Gant stars as both King Arthur and Merlin in this retelling of the mythical story. Expect magic, heroism, love, betrayal and a puppet dog. See p.99

Early-morning silliness for the over threes as the Gottabees tells a story about a mischievous squirrel who can’t stop nicking knickers from the washing line. Created and performed by Bonnie Duncan.

INTO THE WATER The Space @ Surgeons’ Hall 11–21 August, 11.40am

A dance-based fantasy adventure created by Riverdance alumni Suzanne Cleary and Peter Harding. The modern-day folktale is about two people washed up on a magical wasteland. CHRIS JUDGE AND DAVID O’DOHERTY: DANGER! Edinburgh International Book Festival 14 August, 3.45pm

The world's only dangerologist, Docter Noel Zone, has had his heightened fear of danger described in a second book by comedian David O'Doherty and illustrator Chris Judge.

THE STORY OF MR B MOLLY WHUPPIE Assembly Roxy 4–28 August (not 10, 17, 24), 10.30am

A show about the plucky Molly and her quest through the dark woods and into the mountains in search of winter food for the annual great feast. Leaving behind her hungry sister and mother, she discovers a king with unimaginable riches.

PUZZLE

This charming show for the under threes is about an unpredictable, ethereal spirit who befriends a boy playing in the woods. Choreographed by Natasha Gilmore for the MacRobert Arts Centre and Barrowland Ballet, it is a quietly inventive piece of dance-theatre about the joy of discovery. Lots of opportunity to join in. Part of the Made in Scotland showcase. WORDS MARK FISHER

Lithuanian choreographer Birute Baneviciute fills the stage with large colourful shapes and gets her equally colourful dancers to crawl, bounce, run and walk around them. Aimed at toddlers.

MIKEY AND ADDIE

CHRIS RIDDELL

Summerhall, 3–28 August (not 10, 15, 22), 11.25am

Edinburgh International Book Festival 27 August, 3.45pm; 28 August, 11.45am

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POGGLE Dance Base 5–21 August (not 8, 15), 1.30pm

We’ve all got such strong images in our heads of the world created by J K Rowling. So, how did Jim Kay go about creating a full-colour illustrated edition of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone? This is your chance to find out.

ZOO 5–20 (not 7, 14), 12pm

www.edfestmag.com

Return visit for the Australian comedy circus troupe in a dustbin-themed show full of slapstick and acrobatics. Sell-out shows last year. See p.60

PICTURING HARRY POTTER

MERMALADE

Andy Manley and Rob Evans try to put our problems into perspective by setting the universe, in all its enormity, against the stories of two ten year olds coming to terms with the complexities of the adult world. Part of the Made in Scotland showcase.

Berlin company Shake Shake Theatre installs a giant pop-up book in which the grumbling Mr Bumblegrum goes on a

TRASH TEST DUMMIES Underbelly’s Circus Hub on the Meadows 4–21 August (not 10, 15), times vary

Edinburgh International Book Festival 15 August, 3.45pm

Pleasance Courtyard 3–29 August (not 17, 18, 22–24), 11.15am

A show about a strong-willed 11-year-old girl who can’t stop asking, “Why?” as she takes on some of the greatest forces in the universe.

Institut français d’Ecosse 5–28 August (not 15, 22), 11.15am and 2.30pm

colourful and moving journey through the seasons. But will it be enough to cheer him up?

On Saturday, the children’s laureate gives a lecture about the importance of stories to all of us. On Sunday, he leads an interactive drawing workshop with tips on how to do your own caricatures. EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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LISTINGS DANCE

If you wanna dance with somebody, take them to an amazing dance show

360 ALLSTARS

CHOTTO DESH

Assembly Hall 4-29 August (not 15), 4.20pm

Edinburgh International Conference Centre 13-14 August, times vary

A big hit at the 2015 Fringe, Onyx Productions return with their energetic blend of breakdance, BMX skills, beatboxing, basketball and Cyr wheel.

Adapted from Akram Khan’s award-winning show, this mix of dance and animation for families is inspired by Khan’s own childhood.

AND NOW . . .

THE CUBAN GYPSY

Zoo Southside 15-27 August, 6.30pm

Assembly Roxy 3-28 August (not 15, 22), 10pm

Scottish dance company Plan B use the idea of growing up and choosing what you want to be, to examine post-referendum Scotland.

Gypsy culture gets a Cuban twist, in this brand new show from Havana, in which a young girl from Cuba explores her Gypsy roots. See feature on p.71

ATTRAPE MOI

ÉOWYN EMERALD & DANCERS

Assembly Hall 4—29 August (not 10, 15, 22), 6pm

Greenside @ Royal Terrace 5-27 August (not 14, 21), 1.50pm

High flying acrobatics, hula hoops, aerial work and more in this joyful show from Canadian circus company Flip Fabrique, featuring former Cirque du Soleil performers.

The Portland-based choreographer makes a welcome return to the Fringe, merging technically strong ballet and contemporary dance.

BACK OF THE BUS

Dance Base 9-21 August (not 15), 4pm

I AM RHYTHM

Award winning whisky and real ale pub in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town.

Assembly George Square Gardens 5-28 August (not 10, 15, 22), times vary

Mischief and athletic choreography from Java Dance Theatre as they deliver one of the Fringe’s most unique shows, set onboard a double decker bus. BANG! TO THE HEART Zoo Southside 5-28 August (not 10, 15, 22), 10.20pm

B-boy meets girl in this new show from Italy’s Nue Dance Company, who deliver a dynamic blend of dance styles, including hip hop and contemporary.

The movement and sound of modern-day Soweto comes to Scotland in this foot-stomping show. LINGER Dance Base 5-21 August (not 8, 15), 7.45pm

Former Riverdance principal dancer Breandán de Gallaí shows a very different side to him in this intimate duet for two male dancers, exploring Irish dance, sexuality and ageing.

Clockwise from top: Monumental, 360 Allstars and Éowyn Emerald & Dancers

80 W Bow EH1 2HH 0131 226 7667 166

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RAW Edinburgh International Conference Centre 27-28 August, times vary

Belgian dance company Kabinet K present this uncompromising work for young audiences, exploring how children look after themselves with and without adult involvement. SCOTTISH BALLET Festival Theatre 18-20 August, 7.30pm

LOST IN COMPLETE Dance Base 16-21 August, 2.30pm

Sweden’s six-strong Complete Dance Crew bring their exciting, energetic show to Edinburgh.

Scotland’s national ballet company returns to the Edinburgh International Festival, with a double bill of contrasting works by acclaimed choreographers Angelin Preljocaj and Crystal Pite.

M.I.S. ALL NIGHT LONG Dance Base 17-28 August (not 22), times vary

Danish physical theatre company Don Gnu take a witty and off-kilter look at masculinity in the 21st century. MONUMENTAL Edinburgh Playhouse 8-9 August, 8pm

A fast-paced look at urban culture from two groups at the cutting edge of Canada’s cultural scene. NATALIA OSIPOVA AND GUESTS Festival Theatre 12-14 August, 7.30pm

Russian ballet star, and principal dancer with the Royal Ballet, Natalia Osipova moves in a new direction.

SKAL AND SILENT SPACE Dance Base 5-14 August (not 8), 1pm

A double bill exploring two very different topics: Dance Ihayami blur the boundaries between classical and contemporary Indian dance, while Lin Dylin looks at macho culture within hip hop. WHITEOUT Zoo Southside 5-27 August (not 8, 15, 22), 5pm

Barrowland Ballet fuse contemporary dance and visual imagery to look at bi-racial relationships, and how people are judged for what they are, not who they are. WUNDERBAR

POP-UP DUETS (FRAGMENTS OF LOVE)

Zoo Southside 5-13 August, 6.30pm

National Museum of Scotland 4-28 August (not 6-9, 15, 16, 22, 23), 3.30pm

Accompanied by live music, contemporary dancers Rob Heaslip and Laura Murphy invite you inside their relationship while they try to figure it out. WORDS KELLY APTER

Unexpected duets exploring love will suddenly appear in locations around the Museum. www.edfestmag.com

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Online: tickets.edfringe.com By phone: 0131 226 0000

www.nuedancecompany.com

5-29 Aug (exc 10, 15, 22 Aug)

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LISTINGS COMEDY

A round-up of the best comedy talent bringing the laughs to this year's Fringe ADAM HESS: FEATHERS Heroes @ The Hive 5 – 28 August, 4.10pm

Nominated for best newcomer at last year's festival, this nervy and excitable comic is one of the most promising young talents in the UK. Recently appearing on ITV2's @elevenish and contributing to Russell Howard's Good News, he's a writer of pithily surreal witticisms on Twitter, where he has almost 50,000 followers. As well as Feathers, which examines what the social masks we adopt tell us about ourselves, Hess is also appearing as part of the leftfield Bearpit Podcast Podcast collective of character comics. AHIR SHAH: MACHINES Laughing Horse @ Cabaret Voltaire 4 – 28 August, 1.30pm

Caught up in the Paris attacks, the cynically articulate Shah wants to believe in a future where democracy and technology liberate humanity.

But feeling increasingly alienated from his fellow over-educated Lefties, he's also feeling powerless about his capacity to achieve change. Fiercely intelligent, selfaware and elevating simmering exasperation to an artform, this eloquent polemicist emerges an impressively accomplished comedian. ALISON SPITTLE DISCOVERS HAWAII Gilded Balloon at the Counting House 3 – 29 August, 1.45pm

Alison Spittle promises one of the most interesting takes on the subject of mental health. The Irish comic is an effervescent, quirky and often filthy wit. Hawaii is a state of mind for her, a safe space where she can be calm. Conversational and chatty, she's nevertheless armed with a tremendous flurry of sharp, beautifully crafted one-liners.

30th Annual Awards Celebrating outstanding partnerships between the business and cultural sectors Nominations close 30 September 2016 aandbscotland.org.uk/awards

ALISTAIR MCGOWAN: 12TH IMPRESSIONS Gilded Balloon Teviot 16 – 28 August (not 23), 6pm

Impressionists have suffered in recent years as popular culture is disseminated across increasingly niche audiences and a variety of media. But McGowan remains one of the best and promises take-offs of John Bishop, Harry Kane and Scotland's own Andy Murray. He's a man of many parts and will also be performing stand-up in this show, as well as presenting the music of his hero, French composer Erik Satie, with recitals of his piano pieces and poems at the Pleasance. AL PORTER: AT LARGE Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August (not 15), 10.40pm

At just 23, Al Porter already appears destined for television stardom. Although he looks and sounds pure showbusiness, a throwback to the chatshow kings of the past with his fondness for innuendo and neatly tailored suits, his stage presence is altogether less fluffy. Porter's sharp tongue, spiky verve and relatively late timeslot make him a real tonic if your evening's flagging.

hasn't been given his own version of Last Week Tonight. BRENDON BURNS: DUMB WHITE GUY Liquid Room Annexe 6 – 28 August, 6.15pm

Burns' idiosyncratic career has lately veered into unusual areas, as he plays to his dedicated fans in unlikely venues. A former Edinburgh Comedy Award winner who's had his ups and downs since scooping the gong in 2007, diagnosis of his hearing loss has coincided with an arguably more thoughtful Burnsy. But he's still compellingly angry, bristling about his adopted home in the UK. Alongside this free show, he also returns with his wrestling commentary doubt-act with Colt Cabana at the Pleasance Dome. CAREY MARX, HERO OF THE PEOPLE

ANDREW LAWRENCE: THE HATE SPEECH TOUR

Liquid Room Annexe 6 – 28 August (not 17), 5pm

Assembly Roxy 3 – 28 August (not 15, 22), 8.30pm

Sharing his darkest thoughts, this perennially underrated act is about as consistent as you get

Something of a pariah on the left-liberal circuit since decrying ethnic and female acts given television exposure when he's been overlooked, Lawrence has embraced outsider status. Seeing him isn't always comfortable but, irrespective of his politics, he's a gifted writer of dense, poetic blurts of hatred. ANDY ZALTZMAN: PLAN TheStand Comedy Club 3 & 4 4 – 28 August (not 15), 3.40pm

Edinburgh Mela Bollywood Dancer A&BS Awards 2015, Kat Gollock

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His long-time collaborator John Oliver has just retired from their much-loved, transatlantic podcast The Bugle because of US megastardom. But Zaltzman has continued to plough his own critically acclaimed furrow. And there are plenty who wonder why such a wry, smart and prone-to-elaboratesporting-metaphors, politically attuned satirist

EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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LISTINGS COMEDY

is back with a more disparate, unconnected series of stand-up routines. He enjoys a cult following among discerning comedy fans, so this late afternoon show should be in considerable demand. ELLIE TAYLOR: INFIDELLIETY Just the Tonic at the Tron 4 – 28 August (not 15), 2.20pm

Trapped in recently wedded bliss, with no painful experience of cheating and sleeping around to draw upon, Taylor can still find plenty of things to get irked by. A grandstanding Essex princess, she's an assured physical performer with a ready streak of self-mockery and quick wit. An increasingly familiar fixture on television panel shows, she's also made her debut on shiny floor stand-up showcases like The John Bishop Show. ERIC LAMPAERT: ALIEN OF EXTRAORDINARY ABILITY Clockwise from top: Ahir Shah, Danielle Ward and Brendon Burns at the Fringe. The ex-magician is consistently smutty, anecdotally rascally and frequently sick. But he writes with elegance and has a naughty schoolboy’s charm. CARL DONNELLY: BAD MAN TINGS Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August (not 17), 8.30pm

The double Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee has emerged from a rough period in his life, blinking into philosophical thoughtfulness. Divorce, depression and therapy have gifted him some great routines. But now he's a vegan hippy who's found peace and domestic security in vegetable planting and kitchen utensils. So does he enjoy life more? Rarely the feckless idiot he sometimes portrays himself as, his keen comic sensibilities know how to derive laughs from even his most humiliating moments. DANIELLE WARD: SEVENTEEN Just the Tonic at the Caves 4 – 28 August (not 15), 2.40pm

Now a Fringe veteran, the multitalented Ward returns this year in her guise as a coolly accomplished stand-up. Although she has a reputation for darkness and cynicism, she sympathises with the teenagers of today and is offering an hour of advice to young girls, providing insights into what she went through. As proof of her good www.edfestmag.com

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intentions, anyone under 21 can get into the show for £1.

Laughing Horse @ City Cafe 4 – 28 August (not 15), 5.30pm

DAPHNE'S SECOND SHOW

A bigger star in France than the UK, thanks to a popular reality TV show and with a part in Luc Besson's sci-fi

Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August (not 15), 5.45pm

Considerably more than the sum of their parts, Daphne follow up their acclaimed debut with a new hour of inspired absurdity and clever twists. Stand-up Phil Wang performs with straight-faced conviction, while Jason Forbes is the group's lithe, physical dynamo and George Fouracres switches brilliantly between buttoned-up reserve and crazed mania.

spectacular Valerian, Lampaert has recently set his sights on conquering America - hence the immigration description of him as an “alien of extraordinary ability”. As he'd be the first to acknowledge, that also alludes to his lanky, almost otherworldly physical form, which he deploys to good effect in tandem with his increasingly soul-baring, storytelling style. He also created and hosts the popular Comedians Cinema Club. FELICITY WARD: 50% MORE LIKELY TO DIE Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 29 August (not 15), 9pm

Continuing last year's exceptionally well-reviewed exploration of mental health, the inventive, livewire Antipodean is back examining why people with depression and anxiety are 50% more likely to die in any circumstances than the general population. It takes boldness and considerable skill to generate humour from such topics. But the kooky Ward has already fronted an Australian documentary on the subject and combines an easy,

SEEN ON BBC’S GOODNIGHT SWEETHEART AND FIST OF FUN. HEARD ON BBC RADIO 4’S TODAY PROGRAMME AND WORLD TONIGHT LAFFA JAFFA PRODUCTIONS LTD. PRESENTS

PENELOPE SOLOMON

DES BISHOP: GREY MATTERS Pleasance Dome 3 – 28 August (not 15), 8pm

Reluctantly entering his forties and coping with going grey up top, Des Bishop has nevertheless packed a lot into his life and career. The New York-born comic emigrated to Ireland after being expelled from school, eventually becoming one of the most popular comics in the land of his forefathers. Even after his hit show and book, My Dad Was Nearly James Bond, the UK is still waking up to his affable, storytelling talent. But with a career on four continents, it's doubtful that he cares too much. ED GAMBLE: STAMPEDE Gilded Balloon at the Counting House 3 – 29 August, 3.15pm

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After last year's amiable, rules obsessed debut, the star of E4 and BBC America's Almost Royal EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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JAMES ACASTER: RESET

confessional knack with acute observational wit.

Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August, 7.30pm

FERN BRADY: MALE COMEDIENNE

Could it be fifth time lucky for Acaster, who's earned an unprecedented four successive Edinburgh Comedy Award nominations in the last few years but failed to land the prize? Kettering's greatest comedy export is reflecting on what he would do if he had his time again, an opportunity to wipe the slate clean on a single day. Everyday observations are fitted into whimsical routines with his own, unique mastery of language. His unconventional takes on familiar ideas mark him out as perhaps the best comic of his generation.

The Stand Comedy Club 2 5 – 30 August (not 17), 8.15pm

Brady carves her own path in comedy and with typical abrasiveness, has chosen to focus on not being invited to the female comedians' annual brunch this year. Picking at gender, class and Catholicism, musing on dead dogs, the Scot doesn't suffer fools gladly and delivers a memorable mix of anger, insecurity and direct social commentary. Rasping out her routines with angry theatrical flourishes, she's a bracing listen.

JO CAULFIELD: PRETENDING TO CARE

FIN TAYLOR: WHITEY MCWHITEFACE Above: Eric Lampaert Below: Fern Brady

Gilded Balloon at the Counting House 3 – 28 August (not 23), 11.15pm

Partial, perverse and deceptively smart, Taylor is drawing on one of the threads of his 2015 show, for a daring, comic analysis of white privilege. While it's unlikely to be a sensitive treatise on race, he is promising to racially offend white people, which probably shouldn't prove too difficult at such a monoethnic festival as Edinburgh. He also appears as part of the leftfield Bearpit Podcast Podcast collective of character acts at the Pleasance Dome. GEOFF NORCOTT: CONSWERVATIVE Underbelly Med Squad 3 – 28 August (not 15), 7.10pm

Being an openly Conservativevoting stand-up isn't an easy sell in Edinburgh. But Norcott has the arguments and persuasive charm to carry it off. A working-class trade unionist's son, he's still struggling to come to terms with being a class traitor but confronts Britain's diehard veneration of the NHS. There's plenty of mileage and novelty in a decent Lefty bashing hypocrisy. GOOSE: HYDROBERSERKER Assembly George Square Gardens 4 – 28 August, 4.30pm

Returning for a third year with a growing buzz about them, Goose are one of the more idiosyncratic and tricky to describe comedy acts at the Fringe. Writer-director Ben Rowse assists self-proclaimed “ginger Tigger” Adam Drake as he manically and sweatily hurls himself into delivering an inexplicable story, full of 170

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twists and turns, with an energy and commitment that has to be seen to believed. The details of their latest tale are almost incidental as you marvel at Drake's physicality, playing all the roles himself in a comic feat. HENRY PAKER: GUILTY Assembly George Square Theatre 3 – 28 August (not 14, 15, 21), 8.20pm

A comedian's comedian, Paker is lauded by his peers and writes for several of the more famous

ones. Blurring fiction and reality, he's constantly straddling the absurdist and relatable in his routines. So when a real, unsolved murder supposedly occurs on his doorstep, he naturally opts to write his own crime documentary. Currently developing a sitcom for Radio 4 starring Jack Dee as a smug hitman, Paker is putting his obsession with true crime documentaries to entertaining use.

The Stand Comedy Club 5 & 6 5 – 28 August (not 15, 22), 7.50pm

Setting the world to rights, Edinburgh's own Caulfield will be applying her waspish wit to the potential hazards of dating, relationships and divorce. Nothing is as straightforward as it should be and she's determined to make everyone else suffer as much as she has. Increasingly acerbic, she nevertheless brings a relatable humanity to all her material. She also presents the improv stand-up show Can I Stop You There? with Stuart Murphy at the Gilded Balloon Teviot. See feature on p.178 JOHN GORDILLO: LOVE CAPITALISM The Stand Comedy Club 2 4 – 28 August (not 15), 4.50pm

Although best known as a director of shows by comics like Eddie Izzard and Reginald D Hunter, and for not quite getting the TV break his talent deserves, Gordillo is an acute social commentator who currently finds himself piqued by the needy, personal insidiousness of capitalism and advertising. A work-in-progress version of this hour won best show at the Leicester Comedy Festival earlier this year so it's sure to be a thoughtful, provocative listen in Edinburgh. JOHN-LUKE ROBERTS BUILDS A MONSTER Voodoo Rooms 6 – 28 August (not 10, 17, 24), 6.55pm

Notwithstanding the fact that he's retaining the character of his late father, Roberts has spent a year training under tyrannical clown teacher Phillipe Gaulier in Paris and discarded most of the setwww.edfestmag.com

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LISTINGS COMEDY

pieces that have been his stock-intrade since becoming a solo act. Opting instead for pure clowning, he's presenting his hour like a funny nightmare, transitioning through characters as if in a dreamlike state, which ought to mark a significant departure for one of Radio 4's most prolific and in-demand writers.

Mark Steel's In Town. Details are sketchy on how exactly it’s going to work, but earlier this year, he was promising to talk about a different UK town every night, sharing the folklore he’s picked up from visiting them. With his wry commentary and cutting cynicism, the comic and columnist is always a safe bet for a good night.

JONNY PELHAM: FOOL'S PARADISE

MARK WATSON: I’M NOT HERE

Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August, 8.30pm

Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August (not 15, 22), 9pm

After recalling how his physical self-worth was undermined in his excellent debut last year, Pelham now reveals how his mental wellbeing was rocked when he went into therapy. The young, self-confessedly “weird man” from Bradford has a strong analytical streak and an engagingly wry temperament, with an assured anecdotal style and a willingness to reveal his vulnerabilities. LARRY DEAN: FARCISSIST Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August (not 15), 7.15pm

After last year's Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated debut, Larry Dean returns to the festival with a show about breaking up with his boyfriend. A wry, likeable scamp, Dean portrays himself as a “stealth gay”, with none of the overt markers of sexuality that are supposed to define him. Recently popping up in ITV2's topical young comic showcase @elevenish, he's unquestionably one of the brightest talents to emerge from Scotland in recent years. LAURENCE CLARK: INDEPENDENCE Assembly George Square Theatre 3 – 28 August (not 16), 7pm

Daniel Radcliffe studied Clark when he had to play a character with cerebral palsy in The Cripple of Innishmaan, the sort of backhanded compliment that the droll comic invariably finds amusing. Recalling a gig in India, where his Hindi interpreter couldn't understand him and started inventing his own material, the experience prompted Clark to contemplate all aspects of independence, inviting the audience to laugh at all the things his disability prevents him from doing. LOLLY 2 Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August, 6pm

Following on from her well-received debut, Lolly Adefope has landed a series of prominent TV roles, www.edfestmag.com

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John-Luke Roberts

Expanding on the mental health struggles referenced in his 2014 show Flaws, Watson is examining some peculiarly contemporary forms of anxiety. With instinctive self-deprecation, punctuated by occasional rallies of excitable braggadocio, he shares his tale of an anxious flight to Australia. Fiercely intelligent but practically ill-equipped, he’s as compelling a storyteller as ever and his cheerful, gabbling delivery can’t mask the darkness of his clinically philosophical analysis of human experience.

including Sky's football comedy Rovers, ITV2's @elevenish and her own short film for Sky Arts, which was nominated for a Broadcast Digital Award. Returning with a new set of characters for her latest hour, she'll also be performing as herself for the first time. She's also one of the acts appearing as part of the leftfield Bearpit Podcast Podcast collective of character acts at the Pleasance Dome. LOU SANDERS: WHAT'S THAT LADY DOING? Pleasance Dome 3 – 28 August (not 17), 8.10pm

Sanders is admired for her childlike, engagement with the world, so it makes sense that she's tapping into her childhood for her latest show. That unabashed spontaneity of youth is something she's brilliantly retained through her stand-up and inexplicable characters. Scatty, dotty and self-effacing, she's a unique and endearing performer. MARK STEEL’S IN TOON Assembly Hall 4 – 28 August (not 15), 9.30pm

Following strong notices for his return to the Fringe after 19 years with Who Do I Think I Am?, Steel is bringing an adaptation of his long-running Radio 4 series, EDINBURGH FESTIVALS 2016

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MAX & IVAN: OUR STORY

muses on the legacy of British colonialism and his mixed feelings given its impact on his ancestors.

Pleasance Dome 3 – 28 August (not 15), 8.20pm

After several years of performing acclaimed, award-nominated multiple character narratives, doubleact Max Olesker and Ivan Gonzalez are introducing new characters – themselves. Both have interesting backstories to draw upon, with the former having been a pro-wrestler and the latter nurturing aspirations towards the military.

PAT CAHILL: D.O.T.T Heroes @ The Hive 4 – 28 August (not 16), 5.30pm

One of the most distinctive, utterly unique performers on the comedy circuit, it's impossible to imagine anyone else doing Cahill's material. His bizarre prop-based set-pieces, nonsensical wordplay and nostalgic, musichall interludes, all shot through with an aura of barely controlled chaos leave you with little sense of his real personality but he's a comic who invariably leaves you with delight in your heart.

MILO MCCABE: THE UNFLAPPABLE TROY HAWKE Laughing Horse @ City Cafe 4 – 28 August (not 15), 8pm

Devoting an entire hour to his best and most enduring character, McCabe has gotten so comfortable with his creation that his persona may indeed seem unflappable, but his superficial sophistication belies his innocence. Home-schooled by an overly nostalgic mother, the twenty-first century is a confusing and destabilising place for him.

PAUL FOOT: ‘TIS A PITY SHE’S A PIGLET MR SWALLOW - HOUDINI Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August, 7pm

Nick Mohammed is in the greatest demand of his career, with the character comic about to begin filming his Channel 4 sitcom, after roles in films like The Martian and

Barnardo’s 150th Anniversary

NICK CODY: COME GET SOME! Assembly George Square Studios 3 – 28 August (not 15), 9.20pm

Tuesday 23rd August 2016, 830pm Edinburgh International Conference Centre Join us for a bumper-length comedy extravaganza to mark Barnardo’s 150th Anniversary, courtesy of your favourite TV and stand-up comedians:

Jason Byrne, Joe Lycett, Mark Watson, Holly Walsh, Jo Caulfield and Larry Dean. Watch this space, as more big names still to be confirmed.

Don’t miss out on this anniversary special - book your tickets today! Tickets just £20

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Bridget Jones's Baby. Now his most infamous creation, the excitable manchild Mr Swallow, is back with a homage to Houdini. Featuring Swallow's efforts to recreate the escapologist's most famous trick, freeing himself from chains in an underwater tank, expect plenty of laughs and potential disaster.

Unreconstructed Aussie bloke Cody made a big impact with his debut show last year, swaggering but endlessly self-deprecating. And for this follow-up, he's been exploring his ancestral heritage in Ireland, which essentially involved a visit to a whisky distillery. He used to worry about being dismissed as a guy you'd want to go for a beer with. But recently he's come to appreciate that that's a positive endorsement of his onstage persona. NISH KUMAR: ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS, UNLESS YOU SHOUT THE WORDS REAL LOUD

Underbelly, Cowgate 4 – 28 August (not 15), 7.20pm

For his first show in two years, evergreen eccentric Foot is promising to tackle terrorism. Though perhaps the fact that he's accompanied by his piglet sidekick suggests he'll be approaching terrorism from a leftfield angle. He's also hosting his madcap gameshow, Game of Dangers, at Just the Tonic @ The Community Project. PETE JOHANSSON: GOOD PEOPLE Heroes @ The Hive 4 – 28 August (not 15, 16), 5.20pm

Take this opportunity to catch a roguish social observer and affable, open storyteller whose sensibility invariably tacks towards dark humour and revealing his personal indiscretions. The former Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee is currently experiencing great reviews for his latest comedy special on Netflix and it'll be a boon to have him back in Scotland, mocking British culture with a mixture of disdain and affection.

Pleasance Courtyard 3 – 28 August, 8pm

Kumar may joke that his critically acclaimed status only attracts broadsheet journalists and small audiences. But with his burgeoning reputation as an insightful, politicised observer, it's only a matter of time before the mainstream wakes up to the Newsjack host and Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee's abilities. Revealing why he should never be allowed to attend music gigs alone, this comic of Indian heritage also

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LISTINGS COMEDY

PHIL ELLIS IS ALONE TOGETHER (BUT MOSTLY ALONE)

PIERRE NOVELLIE IS COOL PETER Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 15), 9.45pm

Underbelly, Cowgate 4 – 28 August (not 15), 5.40pm

Intelligent and with an eye for the absurd, Novellie has an insightful perspective on the world. Erudite, intelligent and scholarly, Novellie nevertheless remains accessible, with imaginative routines full of wry, self-effacing humour.

Ellis's last solo show was a complete brainbend of half-truths and misdirection that sought to lead audiences right up the garden path. Since then, he's fronted the ensemble that won the Edinburgh Comedy Award panel prize, so expectations and audiences will unquestionably be bigger. Promising to reveal everything about his bitter divorce and his eventual journey back to happiness, expect something like the truth.

RHYS JAMES: FORGIVES Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August, 4.45pm

PHIL JERROD: HYPOCRITE

Clockwise from top: Nish Kumar, Mark Watson, Paul Foot and Milo McCabe

Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 15), 6pm

Jerrod always liked to think of himself as a brave man. But a recent mugging has forced him to reassess his masculinity and self-worth. A lyrical ranter, fulsome of beard and cynical of outlook, he's a dense, gag-packing writer, with wonderfully quotable lines woven through rich, descriptive language.

PHIL NICHOL: TWENTY

There's been tremendous variety in his 20 successful years at the Fringe, which include his Edinburgh Comedy Award winning show The Naked Racist, so a retrospective should be a hot ticket.

Assembly Checkpoint 3–28 August (not 15), 9.45pm

One of the rare occasions where a 'greatest hits' show appears justified is in the case of the reliably experimental Nichol.

Reeling off his hatred of others, before acknowledging that he does all of the same annoying things, James is physically unimpressive, with pretensions to poetic acclaim, a compelling blend of insecurity and cockiness. After appearing on ITV2's @elevenish and making his Mock the Week debut recently, he's a slick, self-aware performer on the up.

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LISTINGS COMEDY

RICHARD GADD: MONKEY SEE MONKEY DO Banshee Labyrinth 6–28 August, 9.45pm

After two late-night, critically acclaimed headrushes through sex, drugs and violence, the Scot completes his unhinged trilogy with an hour that threatens to reveal the real Gadd, laying bare his mental health and drug abuse issues growing up. See p.57 SARAH CALLAGHAN: 24 Pleasance Dome 3–28 August (not 15), 8.20pm

One of the most assured, opinionated and best young comics on the circuit, Callaghan can project a simmering anger while keeping her writing clipped and controlled. A star in the making, catch her now while she's still playing relatively small rooms.

Comedy Award last year. Shaken is the third in the London-based comic's trilogy of shows about growing up in Australia and will be adapted for Radio 4 with the others later this year. Based on a lie she told about being nearly abducted on the way to school, she's playful with the form and anecdotal convention. SEANN WALSH: ONE FOR THE ROAD Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 15, 22), 9.20pm

Few comics come across as such convincing dipsomaniacs in their recollections as Walsh, whose misadventures invariably make for memorable anecdotes. He'll also be teaming up with his regular podcast co-host Mark Simmons for their new double-act, S & M Masterclass, at the Banshee Labyrinth. SEYMOUR MACE: SHIT TITLE

SARAH KENDALL: SHAKEN Assembly George Square Studios 3–28 August, 6.45pm

Having shifted from regular stand-up to sophisticated storytelling, Kendall was nominated for the Edinburgh

The Stand Comedy Club 2 4–28 August (not 15), 2.30pm

A circuit stalwart, whose appreciation by fellow comics hasn't always been matched by critics, Mace nevertheless secured

an Edinburgh Comedy Award nomination last year and has moved to London to further his career. With an increasingly freewheeling, improvisational style, there's no telling what he'll deliver this time round.

audience interaction. The talented Australian is also joined by Carlo Ritchie for the pair's long-form improv act, The Bear Pack, also at the Underbelly, Cowgate.

SIMON EVANS: IN THE MONEY

Liquid Room Annexe 6–28 August (not 15), 3.45pm

Assembly George Square Studios 3–28 August (not 15), 7pm

Fiscal prudence and economic intelligence aren't the most obvious topics for stand-up. But who better to reflect on such a universal subject as money as the dryly witty Evans, who's hosted two series of his Radio 4 show Goes To Market to much acclaim. SPENCER JONES PRESENTS THE HERBERT IN EGGY BAGEL Heroes @ The Hive 4–28 August (not 15), 8.50pm

Criminally overlooked in terms of Edinburgh award recognition for his show Proper Job last year, Jones's star is still in the ascendancy, having been a regular in Ben Elton's Shakespeare sitcom Upstart Crow. Part prop comic, mime act and clown, his Cockney alter-ego the Herbert is a childlike joy to behold, virtually guaranteed to pin a smile to your face for the rest of the day. Jones is also reprising Proper Job throughout the festival at the Underbelly Cowgate. See p.54 STEEN RASKOPOULOS – YOU KNOW THE DRILL Underbelly, Cowgate 4 – 28 August (not 15), 7.40pm

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STUART GOLDSMITH: COMPARED TO WHAT

Goldsmith has truly attuned his observational eye in recent years. Becoming a father has afforded him entertaining pause for thought but he's also added an edge to his usual affability. Charming, with a great turn of phrase and sense of how to structure a show, after more than 20 years as a performer, he's really hitting his stride. SUZI RUFFELL: COMMON Just the Tonic at the Mash House 4–28 August (not 15), 8.20pm

Always self-mocking about her Portsmouth roots, Ruffell has recently been flourishing as a stand-up, adding trenchant social critique to her entertaining anecdotes of growing up a lesbian with “geezer and bird” parents. With only a smattering of television to her name, expect that to change soon. TEZ ILYAS: MADE IN BRITAIN Pleasance Courtyard 3–28 August (not 15), 5.30pm

Following on from his impressive debut last year, the cheekily crowdpleasing Ilyas is a genial guide to being a British Muslim. Contemplating the peculiarities of arranged marriages, the selfeffacing charmer also argues serious points about finding himself stuck between his family traditions and the liberal Lefties he hangs out with. www.edfestmag.com

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LISTINGS COMEDY

UNPRONOUNCEABLE Just the Tonic at The Tron 4–28 August (not 15), 5pm

Steve Bugeja returns this Fringe with a more disparate, less structured narrative, that's still just as full of polished jokes and compelling storytelling. While maintaining his misfit persona, he's growing ever more confident onstage.

Clockwise from top: Zoë Coombs Marr, Spencer Jones and Sarah Callaghan

TIM RENKOW: KING OF THE TRAMPS Heroes @ The Hive 4–28 August (not 10, 17, 24), 7.50pm

With his usual blithe disregard for liberal sensitivities, sardonic Renkow is embracing the frequent misconception of himself as a drunk gentleman of the road, stressing that it's his cerebral palsy that makes people assume he's fallen on hard times and a stash of cans. A probing and provocative act, there's few taboos that he's afraid to challenge in the darkest possible manner. TOM BALLARD – THE WORLD KEEPS HAPPENING Assembly George Square Studios 3–28 August (not 15), 9.15pm

A best newcomer nominee last year, Ballard returns with a politically vital hour that's been strongly reviewed in his native Australia. Tackling Islamic State, feminism and the war on drugs, every cutting rejoinder is accompanied by another, more self-deprecating routine, lest he come across as too clever for his relative youth.

TOM BINNS IS IAN D MONTFORT: HOW TO TOUCH DEAD PEOPLE Assembly George Square Studios 3–28 August, 8pm

Binns' dodgy Sunderland psychic delivers a spoof TED Talk, instructing the audience on how they too can contact the dead. As ever, the slick stagecraft is accompanied by a string of witty, off-colour lines. Binns is also delivering a version of his Club Sets show at the same venue.

WILL FRANKEN: LITTLE JOE The Stand Comedy Club 3 & 4 4–28 August (not 15), 10.35pm

Franken caused a few waves last year with his transition to being known as Sara but has opted to return to Will since then. Regardless of gender, the American remains a hugely gifted character comedian, morphing through countless creations with a stream of consciousness, working to his own dream logic. Who or what is Little Joe? Early indications suggest he's a half-pig and half-rabbit who lives in water. You know, that tired old comedy trope.

ZOË COOMBS MARR: TRIGGER WARNING Underbelly, Cowgate 4–28 August (not 15), 6.50pm

Returning as her alter-ego, the beer-swilling, misogynistic comedian Dave, Coombs Marr has thrust him into the Phillipe Gaulier clown school to reinvent himself as a whimsical mime. Except his predictably pathetic efforts only unleash his own inner clown, a thirtysomething lesbian comic called Zoë. A show of many layers, each more mindbending than the last. ZOE LYONS: LITTLE MISFIT Gilded Balloon Teviot 3 – 28 August, 7pm

Rising to become one of the most trusted and respected headliners in UK comedy, Lyons, like a lot of comics, has always felt a bit out of step with those around her, developing a self-reliant personality to cope. But now, she simply doesn't care, happier to be on the outside looking in, the classic position of the observational comic. WORDS JAY RICHARDSON

TOMMY TIERNAN: OUT OF THE WHIRLWIND Gilded Balloon Teviot 5–28 August (not 12), 7.30pm

This festival heralds a belated bow for one of Tiernan's most rascally shows. A force of nature who flirts with the unsayable, his worldview is counter-intuitive, but it's all said in jest. An unfettered spirit who can barely contain all of the ideas fizzing out of his head, his puckish, esoteric thoughts are to be treasured for the rare gems they are.

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TONY LAW: A LAW UNDO HISELF WHAT WELCOME Assembly Hall 4–28 August (not 15), 8pm

One of the UK's premier purveyors of nonsense, it's great to see Law in an evening slot. While his comedy has gone from strength to strength, the Canadian hasn't always been so content offstage, and this hour reflects on happiness, healing and the importance of communal feeling. Expect another hour of extreme, whimsical buffoonery and entertaining bellowing from a comedian who likes to surf upon surreal streams of consciousness. www.edfestmag.com

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MY EDINBURGH JO CAULFIELD A U G U S T

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LIVE THE DREAM I’ll never forget coming out of Waverley Station

in 2001 on my first visit to Edinburgh and seeing a man in full Highland dress – the kilt, the sporran, the little dagger in his sock… I was so excited to see my first real American tourist. I also remember the first flat I stayed in – a classic Edinburgh tenement. Being a Londoner, I couldn’t believe the high ceilings and huge windows. But that flat, and all the others I later stayed in, all had the same odd combination of huge kitchen and tiny bathroom. I put it down to some sort of Calvinistic modesty: a decent Scot shouldn’t be spending time in a bathroom – get in, wash your sinful bits and then get out again quick! Most of all, I remember crossing the North Bridge late at night and looking up at the castle. I thought I’d never seen anything so beautiful – it was like being drunk in Fairyland.

My Edinburgh guilty pleasure is paying

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extortionate prices for cocktails with a great view. I recommend The Tower on Chambers Street or the bar on the top floor of Harvey Nichols. Edinburgh lends itself to late nights. I think my

latest was when I went for dinner at the house of my friend, the comic JoJo Sutherland, and I was still there drinking when her husband went to work at eight the next morning. I also went to meet JoJo once for a quick drink after my show, which turned into seeing the dawn breaking in the Loft Bar at the Gilded Balloon. I’ve just realised – JoJo Sutherland is my guilty pleasure.

The weather is crazy, the cocktails are pricey and the chance of things going wrong is high, but Edinburgh regular Jo Caulfield wouldn’t be anywhere else in August INTERVIEW KATE COPSTICK PHOTOGRAPHY DAVID KEAY

had on shorts, a T-shirt and sandals. I thought, “At some point today, you’ll both be wearing the right clothes.” So pack a raincoat and suntan lotion. I always tell people to explore Leith. Wander

down Leith Walk, Bernard Street, Constitution Street and The Shore. There are great bars for food, atmosphere and history – Lioness of Leith, Nobles, the Port o’ Leith and the Carriers Quarters. And you must visit the Leith Dockers Club on Academy Street. I saw a great play there, but my highlight was the pre-show announcement: “In the event of a fire, please quickly finish your drinks, take your empty glasses back to the bar, use the side exit and assemble across the road.” You don’t get that at the poncy Traverse Theatre! Dockers Club, I salute you. WHERE & WHEN Jo Caulfield: Pretending to Care The Stand Comedy Club 5–28 August (not 15, 22), from £10 Tel: 0131 558 9005

A few words of advice for anyone who’s

performing at the Fringe for the first time. Avoid the Royal Mile – it’s full of drama students handing out their flyers. They’re all so positive and excited and full of hope, bless ’em. Don’t read reviews of you or your friends. Accept that things will go wrong – posters will get lost, leaflets will have the wrong time or venue on them, your room will have sound-bleed, your techie will fall asleep, shows will over-run so your audience have to leave halfway through to get to their next show, your flatmate will get nominated for an award. Just enjoy it. You’re a comic doing comedy in one of the most wonderful arts festivals in the world. That, to me, is the dream. If you’re a newbie audience member, my advice

is to use word of mouth – talk to people in bars and queues and ask what they have enjoyed. If you see a big queue, join it, especially if it’s Free Fringe. Go and see at least one type of performance you’ve never seen before – burlesque, magic, mime, dance, sketches, opera, drama, anything…. To survive Edinburgh, remember – it’s summer

but not as we know it. Last August I saw two young women walking across the Meadows. One was wearing boots, leggings and a raincoat; the other 178

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